Kerala is grappling with a deadly outbreak of amoebic meningoencephalitis, a rare but fatal brain infection caused by the &ldquo;brain-eating amoeba&rdquo; Naegleria fowleri. The infection has claimed 23 lives so far, with 104 confirmed cases across the state, Health Minister Veena George said on Sunday.
According to health department data, Kollam and Thiruvananthapuram districts remain the worst affected, while new cases are steadily emerging in Kozhikode and Malappuram.
&ldquo;Following the Nipah outbreak in Kozhikode in 2023, it was decided that all encephalitis (brain fever) cases must be mandatorily reported and investigated,&rdquo; said George in a Facebook post. &ldquo;From 2024 onwards, such cases began to be officially recorded, and some were identified as amoebic encephalitis.&rdquo;
The minister noted that, globally, the fatality rate for Naegleria fowleri infections stands at 98%, while for Acanthamoeba-related infections, it exceeds 70%. &ldquo;Despite such high global mortality rates, Kerala has managed to reduce the death rate by detecting and treating the disease at an early stage,&rdquo; she said.
The state&rsquo;s health department has already implemented diagnostic and treatment protocols and launched an action plan under the One Health framework to prevent the spread of the infection. &ldquo;Based on the decisions taken at a joint meeting chaired by Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, various departments are working together to ensure proper chlorination and other preventive measures across Kerala,&rdquo; George added.
With surveillance tightened and public awareness campaigns underway, Kerala&rsquo;s health authorities hope early detection will prevent further casualties from this rare yet devastating disease.

Kerala Reports 23 Deaths from ‘Brain-Eating Amoeba’

104 cases of amoebic encephalitis reported in Kerala; Kollam, Thiruvananthapuram worst hit

Kerala Reports 23 Deaths from ‘Brain-Eating Amoeba

104 cases of amoebic encephalitis reported in Kerala; Kollam, Thiruvananthapuram worst hit

October 12, 2025 | 23:19 IST