A rare infection that causes fatality has put health officials on alert in the state of Kerala after 19 people lost their lives due to Primary Amoebic Meningoencephalitis (PAM), often known as the “Brain-Eating Amoeba.”
According to TOI, Kerala Health Minister Veena George said that 69 cases have been registered so far in the state. She mentioned that there is no proof of clusters linked to a single water source.
While talking to news agency ANI, Veena George said, “Not clusters, single cases, we did have clusters, but not in 2025, but back in 2024. there was a cluster there because the same water source was used, here, there is no cluster, but we have cases, we have a total number of 69 cases.” Authorities like NCDC and Kerala Health Department are closely monitoring the situation amid concerns over this rare, often fatal brain infection caused by Naegleria fowleri.
A few days back, 17 people died in Malappuram district due to the rare disease.
District Medical Officer (DMO) Dr R Renuka said, “We had 2 cases of amoebic meningoencephalitis in Wandoor block. So, we conducted a meeting along with MLA and other officials. We planned to conduct mass awareness in the block among the public. We planned to have the cleaning of water tanks and all the water containers…There are 17 cases altogether in Malappuram district and 5 deaths.”
Kerala Assembly to discuss concerns over amoebic meningoencephalitis
Amid consistent demands from the Opposition parties in Kerala, the State’s assembly is set to discuss concerns over Primary Amoebic Meningoencephalitis (PAM), which has claimed at least 19 lives in the State so far.
The assembly is set to discuss the issue at 12 noon, after an adjournment motion notice was submitted to the assembly.
Mannarkkad MLA N Shamsudheen submitted an adjournment motion notice, accusing the state government of not having effective measures to combat the disease. State’s health minister Veena George said that the government is ready for a discussion on the matter, saying that “false propaganda: regarding public health is being spread in the state.
Despite several people, including Latha Kumari from Muttathara, Thiruvananthapuram, having died, the state government is not taking effective measures to prevent such diseases, the notice read.
