A 15-year-old boy died of a rare disease in Alappuzha. Primary amoebic meningoencephalitis was the cause of death of his death. This is an amoeba that enters the brain through the nose. The deceased child is a native of Panavalli. It is reported that the child contracted the disease after taking a bath in the stream.
Primary amoebic meningoencephalitis is a rare brain infection caused by Naegleria fowleri. Naegleria fowleri is an amoeba.
A case of primary amoebic meningoencephalitis has been reported in Alappuzha district. A 15-year-old resident of Panavalli is under treatment. The disease was first reported in Alappuzha Municipality area in the year 2017.
Symptoms begin within 1- 2 weeks of exposure to contaminated water. Sometimes 1st symptom is a change in taste or smell. Later, people may experience headaches, nausea, and vomiting.
Health Minister Veena George said that five similar cases have been reported in the state before this. All those affected by the disease have died. Symptoms of this disease include fever, vomiting and seizures.
The child started fever on 29th of last month. The Health Minister said that on 1st of this month, he sought treatment at the Thuravoor Taluk Hospital after experiencing headache and blurred vision. The disease was suspected when the child behaved uncooperatively and exhibited other disturbances. Then the minister said that he was referred to the medical college.
The main symptoms are fever, headache, vomiting and seizures. The disease is not transmitted from human to human. But the health department warns that you should not bathe or wash your mouth and face in contaminated water. It is reported that the deceased child had bathed in a public pool in Panavalli.