19 deaths from brain-eating amoeba in Kerala, less than 500 cases in the worldImage Credit Source: Getty Images
Brain eating amoeba cases in kerala: Recently, 19 deaths have been recorded in Kerala from the infection of Brain-Eating Amiba. This figure is shocking because according to the World Health Organization, less than 500 cases of this rare disease have been found worldwide. Of these, 120 cases alone have come up from Kerala. The danger of amoeba in this state is continuously increasing. It is a matter of concern that there is no prescribed treatment and vaccine for the disease caused by amoeba. If the infection goes to the brain, it becomes fatal.
This amoeba thrives in dirty and hot fresh water and enters the body through the nose while bathing or swimming. The biggest danger is to children and youth because they perform more swimming in ponds, lakes or swimming pools. People living in rural areas, who use open reservoirs for bathing or domestic needs, are also at high risk. The infection of those whose immunity is weak affects them rapidly. This is the reason why prevention and awareness from this disease is very important.
How does amoeba attacks the body?
Dr. Jugal Kishore, Director Professor in the Department of Community Medicine at Safdarjung Hospital It is said that Kabrain-Eating Amiba does not go into the body with drinking water, but enters through the way of the nose. When the water goes inside the nose during swimming, bathing or bathing in an open reservoir, this amoeba directly reaches the brain and causes infection. The disease caused by this is called primary amybic meningo ensncyphilitis (PAM).
According to Dr. Kishore, initially its symptoms may look like normal viral infections, but gradually the patient has to face confusion, seizures and coma. This infection spreads very fast and the success rate in its treatment is very low. This is the reason that brain-eating amoeba is counted among the most dangerous infections in medical science.
Why is the danger increasing in Kerala?
Subhash Giri in Medicine Department at RML Hospital, DelhiIt is said that one of the reasons for so many cases of brain-eating amoeba in the cucumber can be the hot climate there. Constant rains and the ponds built after that create a favorable environment for this amoeba. In many areas, people use ponds and lakes of water for daily needs, which further increases the risk of infection. Also, this infection can spread even if there is no proper cleaning of swimming pools in urban areas. This disease shows a rapid effect.
What are the initial symptoms of the disease
Headache
Fever
Vomiting, neck stiffness
Tiredness
Dr. Poolin says that it is difficult to identify in the early days of infection, due to which the mortality rate has been recorded more than 95%. According to experts, the use of rivers and ponds repeatedly in Kerala and the special condition of climate can be a reason for the increase of this disease.
How to rescue
Always take clean or boiled water for drinking and bathing.
Do not let the nose go to the nose while bathing or swimming in open reservoirs like ponds/lakes.
Clean the pool regularly with chlorine and other chemicals.
Contact the doctor immediately if there is a headache, fever, vomiting or stiffness in the neck.
Follow the guidelines and warnings of the health department.