12-year-old tested positive for Amoebic meningoencephalitis remains critical, third in the state
Kozhikode: A 12-year-old boy who is admitted in a private hospital after being tested positive for Amoebic Meningoencephalitis continues to be in critical stage.
This is the third case reported in the state in the last two months were in the first two cases, the affected children have died after prolonged treatment.
Amoebic Meningoencephalitis is a rare and fatal neuro-infection caused by the free-living fresh water amoeba ‘Naegleria fowleri’. It is a ubiquitous organism and the infection occurs usually through contact with warm water bodies.
As per a senior doctor who is attending to the 12-year-old boy who spoke to TV9 said that the condition of the boy continues to be critical even after providing all the medications and treatment for the past one week since he was admitted.
“The young boy had fever, head ache and vomiting initially while he was admitted. However, it progressed slowly and the conditioned worsened from then on. We understand that the boy was exposed to swimming pool which is suspected to have the presence of the virus. We are consistently monitoring his health and there is a team of doctors here. In both the earlier two cases, the children were exposed to swimming pools which were contaminated. The infection occurs by contamination entering the brain through the nose, which results in a massive immune response producing cerebral oedema, which usually proves fatal”, said Dr Abdu Rauf, Consultant Paediatric, intensivist, Baby Memorial Hospital, Kozhikode to TV9.
The 12-year-old boy was admitted in the hospital on Monday and was showing symptoms of Amoebic encephalitis. The hospital authorities sent the samples for further confirmation. As per the family the boy had bathed in pond called Achankulam, in Farook college area.
R Shaji Kumar, head of Clean City Project in the Ramanattukara municipality said that the authorities have banned people from venturing into the pond. He said that health department has alerted people who had bathed in the pond to report to the nearby health centre.
Last week, a 13-year-old girl from Kannur died of Amoebic encephalitis. A month ago, a five-year-old girl from Munniyoor who was tested positive for encephalitis passed away at the Kozhikode medical college.
How can we prevent Amoebic Meningoencephalitis?
Avoid bathing, swimming in warm, stagnant bodies of water during period of high temperatures.
Using only properly treated water for activities that involve nasal passage exposure, such as nasal irrigation and swimming
Using nose clips or holding the nose shut when participating in water-related activities
A 12-year-old boy who is admitted in a private hospital after being tested positive for Amoebic Meningoencephalitis continues to be in critical stage. Kerala States News India: Top News India, States News, States News Headlines, Online State News India, State Politics news
