Thiruvananthapuram: In the wake of criticism on the lack of clarity on the case details of primary amoebic meningoencephalitis (PAM), the Kerala Health Department has updated the figures. As per the latest available data published by the state surveillance unit (September 12), 66 cases of PAM and 17 deaths have been confirmed. The department revised the figures on September 11.

Till September 10, there were 18 confirmed cases and 2 deaths. 42 cases and 14 deaths were listed as suspected ones. PAM fatality steadily increased in the state, especially in the past two weeks, following which questions arose over the suspected and confirmed cases. The officials associated with the Directorate of Health Services clarified that usually cases are classified as suspected and confirmed based on lab tests. 

"In PAM cases, we categorised cases diagnosed via microscopy as suspected ones till the PCR test also came out positive. Now, even when a PAM case tests positive in wet mount examination, we are classifying it as confirmed," an official said.  PCR is done at the state public health lab and in Coimbatore.

The state has also notified four PAM cases to Karnataka and Tamil Nadu. Three cases were diagnosed in Thiruvananthapuram Medical College and one case was detected in Kannur. The official said that the diagnosis has been communicated to the health departments of Karnataka and Tamil Nadu. 

In September, the state reported seven deaths due to the infection. On Friday, Health Minister Veena George, in a statement, said that Kerala has been able to detect cases of the disease very early, making it possible to save many people infected by the disease, which has a high mortality rate. She noted that the health department has also been able to reduce the number of deaths due to the rare brain infection, caused by a free-living amoeba found in contaminated waters, as it has prepared a protocol for carrying out tests and treatment of those infected by the disease, she said.

She issued the statement after Leader of Opposition VD Satheesan alleged that the state health department had totally failed to study the reasons behind the spread of amoebic encephalitis in different parts of the state. He said that though 16 people had already succumbed to the disease, the health department was not able to provide adequate warning to the people.

"The department itself is on a ventilator," he alleged while speaking to reporters at Kochi earlier in the day.

On Friday, a 10-year-old girl from Areekode in Malappuram tested positive for the deadly infection. She is currently undergoing treatment at Kozhikode Government Medical College Hospital. The child, who fell ill after bathing in a swimming pool two weeks ago, was first admitted to Manjeri Government Medical College Hospital before being shifted to Kozhikode.

At present, a total of 11 patients are undergoing treatment at Kozhikode Medical College after testing positive for the brain-eating amoeba. Meanwhile, a native of Ramanattukkara who also tested positive is admitted to a private hospital in Kozhikode.