Kerala on alert after surge in amoebic encephalitis cases

Symptoms mimic other common illnesses like fever, headache

- POOJA NAIR @ Kozhikode

HEALTH authorities in Kerala have issued a high-alert following a surge in cases of the rare and deadly amoebic encephalitis, with a new and alarming threat now under investigation: the potential for infection from domestic well water.

While typically associated with warm, fresh surface waters like lakes and rivers, the amoeba responsible for the disease, Naegleria fowleri, is now suspected of being a potential contaminant in private wells, especially those that are poorly maintained or untreated. This comes under intense scrutiny after two recent cases were reported in Kozhikode district, one of which involves a 3-year-old infant whose family claims had no contact with any water source other than the well at their home.