Thiruvananthapuram: Kerala is grappling with an alarming rise in amoebic encephalitis, a rare and often fatal brain infection caused by the “brain-eating amoeba” Naegleria fowleri. State Health Minister Veena George confirmed on Sunday that 104 cases have been reported so far this year, resulting in 23 deaths.
According to official data, Kollam and Thiruvananthapuram districts have recorded the highest number of infections, while Kozhikode and Malappuram are also witnessing a steady increase in cases.
Minister Veena George stated that following the Nipah virus outbreak in Kozhikode in 2023, the government made it mandatory to report all encephalitis (brain fever) cases and identify their causes. This directive led to the discovery and official documentation of several amoebic encephalitis cases beginning in 2024.
The Health Department, she added, had already issued both general and technical guidelines last year for the diagnosis and treatment of the disease.
Globally, the fatality rate for Naegleria fowleri infections stands at 98%, while cases caused by Acanthamoeba have a mortality rate of over 70%. Despite these grim statistics, George said Kerala has managed to reduce the death rate through early detection and timely medical intervention.
In 2025, the state implemented an action plan under the One Health approach, bringing together multiple departments to strengthen surveillance, prevention, and treatment. The initiative includes scientific chlorination of water sources and continuous preventive measures across all districts.
“These steps are being coordinated under the direct supervision of Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan to ensure the spread of the disease is contained effectively,” the minister stated in a Facebook post.
