Thiruvananthapuram: One more person has died in Kerala after being infected with amoebic meningoencephalitis, a rare but deadly brain infection caused by free-living amoebae. The deceased has been identified as Sarasamma, a resident of Thengumkodu, Kallara, in Thiruvananthapuram district. She was 85 years old.
According to hospital authorities, Sarasamma had been undergoing treatment at the Thiruvananthapuram Medical College Hospital for the past 17 days, during which the infection was confirmed.
This marks the second consecutive death due to amoebic meningoencephalitis reported in Thiruvananthapuram in just two days. On the previous day, Vasantha, a resident of Chirayinkeezhu, had also succumbed to the infection.
Health department data shows that 62 cases of the disease have been reported across Kerala this month alone, resulting in 11 deaths. Since the beginning of this year, 32 people have died from the infection in the state.
Officials have urged the public to maintain strict hygiene, avoid bathing in contaminated water, and seek immediate medical attention if symptoms such as severe headache, fever, or confusion occur, as the infection can progress rapidly and is often fatal if untreated.
