Rise in deadly ‘brain-eating’ amoeba cases causes alarm in India’s Kerala state

Rise in deadly ‘brain-eating’ amoeba cases causes alarm in India’s Kerala state
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Kerala, a southern state in India, is on high alert following a rise in cases of primary amoebic meningoencephalitis (PAM), a rare but fatal brain infection caused by the “brain-eating” amoeba Naegleria fowleri, Arab News reported.

Since the start of 2025, Kerala has reported 69 cases and 19 deaths, including a three-month-old infant. Unlike last year’s clustered outbreaks linked to single water sources, this year’s cases are isolated, complicating investigations.

The state health minister, Veena George, highlighted that the government has intensified testing and started chlorinating wells, water tanks, and public bathing spots to contain the spread. Last year, Kerala recorded 36 cases and nine deaths.

Globally, PAM has a survival rate of about 3 percent, but Kerala’s advanced diagnosis has improved survival to 24 percent. Authorities warn that rising water temperatures due to climate change and increased recreational water use may lead to more infections. The government continues to monitor and respond to this serious public health challenge.