Health department announces a one-health protocol for early detection of Amoebic meningoencephalitis
The Health department has devised a 'one-health' protocol to prevent amoebic meningoencephalitis, a deadly brain infection with a high mortality rate caused by a single-celled organism that thrives in untreated water, including bathing water bodies.
According to Health department statistics, the brain infection had caused eight deaths and 38 cases in 2024. So far this year, the health authorities have reported 12 cases and eight deaths due to Amoebic meningoencephalitis. Those infected were mainly school children frolicking in stagnant and muddied waterbodies during summer when pond water levels receded.
However, the government said early detection could save lives, though the death rate for Amoebic meningoencephalitis was 97%, according to WHO statistics. Given its public health vigil, prevention measures, and early detection, the death rate for the disease in Kerala was 25%. The government said the Amoebic meningoencephalitis infections peak during summer when amoebic activity increases as water levels decrease.
Routine cleaning
Residents should ensure that water tanks are routinely cleaned of sediment and other organic pollutants, and authorities should ensure that amusement park swimming pools and waterbodies are chlorinated.
Health Minister Veena George stated that the action plan emphasises disease prevention, early detection, active case surveillance, specialised care, hotspot mapping, and administering the latest drugs and state-of-the-art treatment protocols.
Ms. George said the government had instructed hospitals, including those in the private sector, to test patients arriving with fever and other symptoms for the disease.
The government has also launched an awareness campaign, especially for children enjoying their summer vacation outings, encouraging them to take pre-emptive steps before dipping in ponds and pools.
Amoebic meningoencephalitis has symptoms that are common with other infections. They include severe headache, fever, retching, vomiting, and difficulty with neck movements.
Apex body
The government has notified the State Public Health Laboratory as the apex body for disease detection. The microbiology departments of Thiruvananthapuram and Kozhikode Medical College Hospitals will assist the State in its disease control effort.
The State has roped in the Kerala State Pollution Control Board and the Kerala University's Science and Technology department to prevent Amoebic meningoencephalitis.
The government has also published an online treatment protocol and ensured the availability of the latest drugs through the State's medical supplies corporation.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
News18
3 hours ago
- News18
All About The New COVID-19 Variant Causing 'Razor Blade' Sore Throats
Last Updated: The new variant called the NB.1.8.1 has been detected in the US among travellers coming in from Western Pacific nations, with a rising number of patients. The recent spike in coronavirus cases in certain parts of the world has been attributed to a new variant of the virus that caused a global health pandemic, nicknamed the 'razor blade throat" COVID. The variant is called the NB.1.8.1 or 'Nimbus' and causes painful sore throats among those who come into contact. The symptom has been discovered by scientists in India and the United Kingdom, apart from other parts of the world, according to various media outlets. Just when the world was beginning to move on from the horrors of the global health emergency, coronavirus has sprung back into news and discussions with a rising number of affected persons by the new variant. Fever, chills, cough, shortness of breath and loss of taste or smell are proven symptoms of any COVID variant, but Nimbus especially attacks one's throat. While health experts suggest there isn't a cause for major worries about this form of COVID, here is what you need to know about the variant responsible for the sudden spike in global cases. According to a statement dated May 28 by the World Health Organisation, the variant causing the 'razor blade throat' has been spreading primarily in the eastern Mediterranean, Southeast Asia and western Pacific regions. The new variant is responsible for nearly 11% of the global sequenced samples reported since May. In the United States, airport screening held in California, Washington state, Virginia and New York found travellers coming in from those regions affected by the new variant. The new variant is unlikely to cause any worse damage than other variants of the virus that emerged from China in December 2019. Even though Western Pacific countries have reported an increasing number of cases and persons hospitalised, the WHO says there is no proof to suggest the Nimbus variant comes with a disease and symptoms more dangerous than other variants. Likewise, the vaccines proven effective against those variants will help provide relief against NB.1.8.1 as well. The WHO has marked the public health risk from the new variant at a low level, designating it as a 'variant under monitoring" with current vaccinations remaining effective. Last month, Robert F Kennedy Jr announced that COVID-19 injection shots are no longer recommended for healthy children and women undergoing pregnancy. But public health experts raised an immediate question mark on the claim made by the US Health Secretary. First Published: June 22, 2025, 12:37 IST
Time of India
5 hours ago
- Time of India
4 unusual symptoms of NB.1.8.1 COVID variant, which is spreading in the world
A new COVID-19 variant, NB.1.8.1 or 'Nimbus', is spreading globally, exhibiting unusual symptoms. Despite the scary-sounding symptoms, health authorities like the WHO and CDC continue to stress that the NB.1.8.1 variant doesn't cause more severe disease in most people. It is, however, highly transmissible—and that's what makes it a concern. A new COVID-19 variant named NB.1.8.1, or 'Nimbus', is making quiet but swift rounds across several parts of the world. It's not just the usual fatigue or fever that's troubling people; this time, it's something sharper, something more unexpected. While scientists confirm that this Omicron subvariant doesn't lead to more severe disease, what's catching global attention is its unusual presentation, symptoms that feel different from what earlier COVID waves showed. And that makes it even more important to know what signs to watch out for. Here are 4 surprising symptoms of the Nimbus variant that are creating a buzz among doctors and patients alike, along with the science behind what's real and what's just speculation. A sore throat that feels like razor blades Patients infected with the NB.1.8.1 variant have reported a sore throat so intense, they've likened it to 'swallowing glass' or 'razor blades.' Global health reports have confirmed that this sharp throat pain is indeed a defining symptom of the new variant. Unlike previous sore throats linked to Omicron or Delta, this one comes on fast and can be severely painful even with mild fever. This symptom may not indicate greater danger, but it does signal high infectivity. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Branded GLP-1 Medications: What Are Your Options? GoodRx Watch Now Undo The pain likely stems from the variant's increased ability to bind tightly to throat cells, making it a hotspot for early replication. Sudden loss of appetite One overlooked but increasingly reported sign is a sudden dip in appetite, even without nausea or stomach issues. This symptom isn't new to COVID-19, but in the case of Nimbus, it seems to come early and without other digestive complaints. It is suggested this could be due to inflammatory markers affecting the hypothalamus (the appetite control center in the brain), even before other symptoms surface. Loss of appetite and unexplained weight loss. A significant change in eating habits without any clear reason may be worth keeping an eye on, especially if paired with fatigue or body aches. Muscle aches in unusual areas Muscle pain isn't new, but in this wave, people have been experiencing soreness in odd spots—like the jaw, upper back, and even behind the ears. These aches could be linked to how this variant activates the immune system. NB.1.8.1 causes an early inflammatory reaction, especially in muscle groups that aren't usually affected by respiratory illnesses. It's not always full-body fatigue, sometimes, discomfort in specific muscles might be telling a bigger story. Irritating nasal congestion that lingers Persistent nasal stuffiness, described as 'never-ending congestion,' is another complaint that has stood out in NB.1.8.1 cases. Covid Is Back! U.S. Confirms New Chinese Variant Causing Surge; Lockdown In America, India Next? Is it different from a cold? Quite possibly. Patients have reported that usual decongestants don't work effectively, and the congestion feels heavier, sometimes lasting over a week. This could be due to longer viral shedding in the nasal passages caused by this specific subvariant. Unlike seasonal colds, this symptom tends to stay and can increase the risk of spreading the virus to others through sneezing or coughing. (This article is intended for informational purposes only and should not be considered a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment) One step to a healthier you—join Times Health+ Yoga and feel the change
Time of India
17 hours ago
- Time of India
72% drop in malaria cases in Bastar from 2015, says admin
Raipur: Bastar division has recorded a 72% drop in malaria cases compared to 2015, under state's disease control programme in one of the most challenging malaria-prone regions, officials said. According to a data released by the state health department, the malaria positivity rate in Bastar has fallen from 4.60% to just 0.46%, while the Annual Parasite Incidence (API) in the region has dropped from 27.4 in 2015 to 7.11 in 2024. At the state level, the API has gone down from 5.21 to 0.98 in the same period. Compared to 2023, malaria cases in 2024 have seen a further decline of 8.52%. Health department officials said that the 10th and 11th phases of the Malaria Mukt Chhattisgarh campaign in 2024 focused on enhanced surveillance and focused treatment, which played a critical role in pushing the numbers down further. The state is conducting the campaign in alignment with guidelines from the National Vector Borne Disease Control Programme (NVBDCP) and the World Health Organization (WHO). Malaria in Chhattisgarh is primarily concentrated in the tribal and forested districts, especially in Bastar division, due to dense forest cover, remote habitations, poor healthcare access, and favourable conditions for mosquito breeding. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Giao dịch vàng CFDs với mức chênh lệch giá thấp nhất IC Markets Đăng ký Undo The situation would get tense mostly when a number of security jawans would fall ill or succumb to malaria, after venturing out in forests during monsoon. Frequent incidents of malaria cases among jawans spotlighted the vulnerability of frontline forces and triggered a renewed push for preventive screenings and stricter bed-net enforcement among the troops. CM Sai said that it was a result of community-driven action, consistent fieldwork of health workers, Mitanins, and medical staff. Health minister Shyam Bihari Jaiswal said that the target is to get all districts of Chhattisgarh malaria-free, and sustained efforts are underway to realize this goal. He noted that activities such as distribution of insecticide-treated mosquito nets, door-to-door testing, rapid treatment, and community awareness have been key drivers of this progress.
