Pool shut in TVM after new PAM case, minister’s claim UDF ignored study disputed
The minister clarified that doctors on the State Medical Board had recently unearthed the report, after which she sought details directly from the researchers.
The minister clarified that doctors on the State Medical Board had recently unearthed the report, after which she sought details directly from the researchers.
The minister clarified that doctors on the State Medical Board had recently unearthed the report, after which she sought details directly from the researchers.
Thiruvananthapuram: A fresh case of primary amoebic meningoencephalitis (PAM) was confirmed in Kerala on Saturday, with a 17-year-old boy in Thiruvananthapuram testing positive. Following this, the health department has shut down the swimming pool at Akkulam Tourist Village and collected water samples for testing. The teenager, who was diagnosed with the disease earlier this week, had reportedly gone swimming with friends at the pool, prompting officials to investigate the water quality. 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.
Meanwhile, Health Minister Veena George’s recent social media post on a past medical study has sparked controversy. The minister had claimed that the then UDF government ignored a 2013 report on amoebic brain fever by Dr Anna Cherian and Dr R Jyothi of the Government Medical College, Thiruvananthapuram. However, several doctors and public health experts pointed out that the study was published only in 2018, during the first Pinarayi Vijayan government, when K K Shailaja was the health minister.
The minister clarified that doctors on the State Medical Board had recently unearthed the report, after which she sought details directly from the researchers. The study was based on corneal ulcer cases, where amoeba was identified as the causative agent. According to the minister, the government at the time did not act on the findings.
Revised health department figures
The health department has revised its data on amoebic brain fever cases. Until two days ago, many individuals were listed as “suspected” cases. However, from September 11 onwards, all such cases have been reclassified as confirmed.
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 September, the state reported seven deaths due to the infection.
Amoebic Meningoencephalitis
It is a rare but deadly infection caused by brain-eating amoeba.
Doctors warn that the infection, though rare, has emerged as a serious health concern this year, with repeated cases being reported across districts. The disease is caused by amoebas found in stagnant water, soil, cesspools, freshwater lakes and rivers.
2 major types
- Primary Amoebic Meningoencephalitis (PAM): Caused by Naegleria fowleri, it rapidly invades and destroys brain tissue, leading to severe swelling and often proving fatal.
- Granulomatous Amoebic Encephalitis (GAE): Triggered by other amoeba species, this form also attacks the brain but usually progresses more slowly.