Another case of amoebic meningoencephalitis, a rare brain infection caused by a free-living amoeba found in contaminated waters, has been reported from Kerala.
A 14-year-old boy, a resident of Payyoli in this north Kerala district, is afflicted with the disease, according to sources in the private hospital where he is being treated.
This is the fourth case of the rare brain infection reported in the state since May and all the patients are children, three of whom have already died.
In the latest case, one of the doctors treating the boy said that he was admitted to the hospital on July 1, and his condition is improving.
The doctor said, on Saturday, that the infection was identified quickly at the hospital and treatment, including medicines from abroad, was given immediately.
On Wednesday, a 14-year-old boy infected with the free-living amoeba died in Kozhikode.
Prior to that, two others -- a five-year-old girl from Malappuram and a 13-year-old girl from Kannur -- died on May 21 and June 25, respectively, due to the rare brain infection.
Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan on Friday held a meeting in which several suggestions, including not to bathe in unclean waterbodies, were given to prevent further infections.
In the meeting, it was also suggested that there should be proper chlorination of swimming pools and children should be careful when entering waterbodies as they are mostly affected by this disease, the statement said.
The chief minister also said that everyone should take care to keep the waterbodies clean.
Using swimming nose clips to prevent infection by the free-living amoeba was also suggested in the meeting.
Medical experts said the infection occurs when free-living, non-parasitic amoebae bacteria enter the body through the nose from contaminated water.
The disease was earlier reported in coastal Alappuzha district in the state in 2023 and 2017.
(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)
Featured Video Of The Day
Brain-Eating Amoeba Claims Third Victim In Kerala: How To Prevent Infection All About Naegleria Fowleri, Brain-Eating Amoeba That Killed Kerala Girl 2-Year-Old US Boy Killed By Brain-Eating Amoeba, Week After Flu Symptoms "Hit Nuclear Sites First": Donald Trump's Big Warning To Iran The Shocking Reason Hate Preacher Zakir Naik Walked Off Stage In Pakistan "Collected Bodies For 3 Days": 600 Massacred Within Hours In This Country Navratri 2024 Day 3: Significance Of Maa Chandraghanta's Worship Explained "Collected Bodies For 3 Days": 600 Massacred Within Hours In This Country More Israeli Strikes Pound Beirut After Fresh Warning From Iran: 10 Points Track Latest News Live on NDTV.com and get news updates from India and around the world.