India is alert as a deadly case of amube ‘brain eating’

The health authority in India has sounded an alarm after a rare and deadly surge in infection from Naegleria Fowleri-Amuba which is often referred to as the “brain-eating”-especially in the state of South Kerala.

Although the number of cases remains relatively low, the toll road has doubled compared to last year, encouraging urgent public health steps. So far in 2025, Kerala has reported 72 infections and 19 deaths, with a sharp increase in September alone – 24 new cases and nine deaths.

“Concerned that this year’s new cases have emerged from all states, as opposed to certain pockets in the past,” said Dr. Altaf Ali, a member of the State Government’s duties who overcome the outbreak.

To fight the spread, health officials have launched a broad testing campaign. “We are doing a large -scale test in all states to detect and treat cases,” Ali told reporters.

Amuba, Naegleria Fowleri, is usually in a warm freshwater body such as lakes and rivers. This infects humans when contaminated water enters the body through the nose – often during swimming or bathing. It does not spread from person to person.

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Once in the nasal cavity, Amoeba can travel to the brain and cause meningoencephalitis of primary amoeba (PAM), a condition with a surprising mortality rate.

According to the Center for Control and Prevention of US disease (CDC), this organism is nicknamed “brain -eating amoeba” because it can “infect the brain and destroy brain tissue.” CDC added that infection “is very rare but almost always fatal.”

Symptoms usually begin with headaches, fever, and vomiting, developing rapidly to more severe neurological effects. World health organizations warn that this disease often leads to “seizures, changing mental status, hallucinations, and coma.”

Globally, this disease is rare but deadly. Since 1962, nearly 500 cases have been reported worldwide, with most of it in the United States, India, Pakistan and Australia.

Last year, Kerala saw 36 reporting infections and nine deaths – the number that has now been exceeded, increasing significant concern among health professionals and the community.