Five year old Kerala girl dies of inflation from rare brain eating amoeba - Kerala girl diagnosed with rare infection caused by brain eating amoeba dies.

What has just happened? Why in the recent news?

Taking a dip in contaminated water cannot only be dangerous bupt also fatal. In a recent instance from Kerala, a 5 year old girl died after swimming in a contaminated water of a pond. The girl who bathed in the pond is said to have died due to rare infection caused by a brain eating amoeba. The girl was afflicted by amoebic meningoencephalitis a rare brain infection. The child hailing from Moonniyur Panchayat passed away on Monday night at the Kozhikode Medical College Institute of maternal and child healthcare where she was undergoing treatment for over a week. The girl had bathed in the nearby pond on May-1-2024 & showed symptoms of fever, headache & vomiting by May-10-2024, according to PTI sources. The child was on a ventilator & unresponsive to medication other children who also swim with the girl in the same pond were under observation. However they were discharged after being found to be free of infection the report added.

What is Naegleria fowleri?

Naegleria fowleri commonly known as brain eating amoeba is a single cell organism found in a warm freshwater environment such as lakes, hot springs & even in poorly maintained swimming pools. It is so small that it can only be seen with a microscope. Only one species of Naegleria fowleri infects people. In every rare instances, Naegleria fowleri has been founded in swimming pools, splash ponds, surf parks, or other recreational ventures that are poorly maintained or don't have enough chlorine in them. The amoeba enters the body through the nose & travels to the brain, leading to a severe & usually fatal brain infection known as Primary Amoebic Meningo Encephalitis (PAM).

Best conditions for such amoeba?

It grows best at temperatures above 46 degree celsius warm water temperatures particularly during the summer months create favourable conditions for the amoeba's growth. Poorly maintained swimming pools or contaminated water sourcces increase the risk of exposure. Activities like diving or jumping into the warm fresh water bodies can force water up the nose, providing an entry point for the amoeba.

Does it spread from one person to another?

Its impoetant to note that Naegleria fowleri infection doesnot spread from person to person nor does it manifest symptoms when contracted in other farms. The infection is primarily associated with a warm fresh water environment especially during hot summer months when water temperatures are higher. Therefore they usually flourish between July & September.

Prevention measures?

Preventive measures such as avoiding warm freshwater bodies with inadequate chlorination using nose clips during water related activities & using sterile water for nasal cleansing rituals can help reduce the risk of contracting Naegleria fowleri infection.

Who is at risk?

The human body is generally vulnerable to Naegleria fowleri but it is very rare. Although anyone can be affected certain factors can increase vulnerability such as a weekened immune system a history of nasal or sinus issues or activities that involve exposure to warm freshwater.

Symptoms - Once in the brain it causes a condition called Primary Amoebic Meningoencephalitis (PAM). This affects the brain by causing inflammation and destruction of brain tissue. The symptoms usually appear within a week of infection & include severe headache, fever, nausea, vomitting, stiff neck, confusion, seizures & hallucinations. As the infection progresses the patient can slip into coma & ultimately death. The amoeba's ability to rapidly destroy brain tissue makes it a highly lethal infection. Prompt medical intervention is crucial but even with treatment the survival rate is low.

Chances of survival?

Brain eating amoeba can be fatal with a recorded death rate of 97%. The chances of survival from this infection are unfortunately low. Despite the best medical interventions, including antifungal medications & supportinve care, the chances of surviving Naegleria fowleri infection are very slim. Early diagnosis & prompt initiation of treatment are crucial but even then, prognosis remaining grim. 

Treatment - The USA based Centres for Disease Control (CDC) recommends treatment with a combination of drugs often including amphotericin B, azithromycin, fluconazole, rifampin, miltefosine, & dexamethasone. These drugs have been sued to treat patients who survived miltefosine is the newest of these drugs. It has been shown to kill Naegleria fowleri, in the labaratory & has been used to treat 3 survivors post incidents - there have been 20 reported cases of Primary Amoebic Meningoencephalitis (PAM) in India, with the Kozhikode case being the seventh such infection in Kerala. In Jul-2023, a 15 yeat old boy died of it in Alappuzha. The first incident in Kerala was also reported in Alappuzha in 2016, perhaps due to the large number of water bodies here.