Kerala is currently grappling with a serious public health challenge as 104 cases of amoebic encephalitis, commonly known as brain fever, have been recorded, resulting in 23 fatalities. State Health Minister Veena George announced the figures, identifying the rare and deadly ‘brain-eating amoeba,’ Naegleria fowleri, as the culprit behind these infections.
The districts of Kollam and Thiruvananthapuram have been identified as the most severely affected regions. However, health officials are also observing an increase in cases in Kozhikode and Malappuram districts, prompting ongoing vigilance.
Minister George explained that following the Nipah virus outbreak in Kozhikode in 2023, a directive was issued to ensure mandatory reporting of all encephalitis cases and to thoroughly investigate their causes. This enhanced reporting system, implemented from 2024 onwards, led to the identification of amoebic encephalitis as a cause in several instances.
Acknowledging the global severity of Naegleria fowleri infections, which have a reported fatality rate of 98%, and Acanthamoeba-related cases at over 70%, Minister George emphasized Kerala’s success in mitigating mortality. She attributed this to early detection and prompt treatment of the disease.
To further strengthen prevention efforts, Kerala adopted a ‘One Health’ approach in 2025, developing and implementing a comprehensive action plan. This plan involves coordinated efforts across various government departments, focusing on scientific chlorination of water sources and continuous implementation of other preventive measures statewide, as decided in a high-level meeting chaired by Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan.