NEW DELHI – The Union Health Ministry has revealed an alarming spike in cases and fatalities related to the “brain-eating amoeba” in Kerala, marking a significant public health challenge for the state in 2025.
Thank you for reading this post, don't forget to subscribe!In a written reply to Parliament on Friday, Union Health Minister Prataprao Jadhav confirmed that Kerala has reported 170 cases and 42 deaths due to Amoebic Meningoencephalitis—the severe brain infection caused primarily by the free-living amoeba, Naegleria fowleri—in the year 2025 alone.
Exponential Rise in Cases
The data presented by the Minister highlighted the dramatic escalation of the disease over the past three years:
| Year | Confirmed Cases | Fatalities |
| 2023 | 2 | 2 |
| 2024 | 39 | 9 |
| 2025 | 170 | 42 |
The figures indicate an unprecedented outbreak, with cases soaring from 39 in 2024 to 170 in 2025, representing the highest annual incidence reported in the state’s history. Since 2023, the total toll stands at 211 cases and 53 deaths.
The Deadly Pathogen: Naegleria fowleri
Amoebic Meningoencephalitis, or Primary Amoebic Meningoencephalitis (PAM), is a rare but nearly always fatal central nervous system disease.
Naegleria fowleri is a microscopic amoeba commonly found in warm freshwater bodies such as lakes, rivers, ponds, and poorly maintained swimming pools. Infection occurs when contaminated water containing the amoeba enters the nasal passage, typically during swimming or diving. The amoeba then travels from the nose up to the brain, where it causes rapid and devastating destruction of brain tissue.
The infection is not spread through drinking contaminated water or from person-to-person contact.
Centre and State Response
The Union Health Ministry confirmed that the Central Government is actively supporting the state’s efforts to manage and contain the spread.
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NCDC Investigation: The National Centre for Disease Control (NCDC), Kozhikode, conducted an investigation into the rising incidence last year.
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Expert Review: A high-level meeting was convened by the Director General of the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) with national and state experts to review the surge and reinforce surveillance.
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Revised Guidelines: The NCDC issued a revised Communicable Disease alert on PAM in October 2024, outlining updated management and prevention guidelines.
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Focus on Prevention: The government continues to support extensive Information, Education, and Communication (IEC) initiatives to raise public awareness about safe water practices, particularly avoiding water entry into the nose during recreational activities in untreated water sources.
Public Health Advisory: Prevention is Key
Given the extremely high fatality rate of PAM, prevention remains the most critical strategy. Health officials strongly advise the public to take the following precautions:
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Avoid Nasal Water Entry: Hold your nose or use nose clips when swimming, diving, or jumping into warm freshwater bodies (lakes, ponds, rivers).
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Steer Clear of Stagnant Water: Avoid swimming or bathing in warm, stagnant, or poorly maintained water sources, especially during hot weather.
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Ensure Proper Chlorination: Public and private swimming pools must be rigorously and scientifically chlorinated, as chlorine effectively kills N. fowleri.
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Safe Nasal Rinsing: Use only boiled, sterilized, or distilled water for nasal irrigation (e.g., neti pots). Never use untreated tap water.
The sharp rise in cases highlights the ongoing risk posed by environmental factors, including rising water temperatures and changes in water use practices, reinforcing the need for continuous vigilance and public health infrastructure improvements.
