How to manage ‘brain-eating amoeba’ cases

Sub : Science and tech

Sec : Health

Context:

Four cases, including three deaths, of the rare, but fatal primary amoebic meningoencephalitis (PAM) in Kerala.
First detected in Alappuzha in 2016, with subsequent cases in Malappuram, Kozhikode, Thrissur, and Alappuzha.

About Primary amoebic meningoencephalitis (PAM):

Cause: Naegleria fowleri, a “brain-eating amoeba” found in warm freshwater and poorly maintained pools.
Infection: Enters through the nose, reaching the brain and causing fatal tissue destruction.
Transmission: Not person-to-person or through swallowing contaminated water.
Symptoms:
- Early: Headache, fever, nausea, vomiting.
- Later: Stiff neck, confusion, lack of attention, loss of balance, hallucinations, coma, and usually death within 5 days (1-18 days).
Diagnosis and Treatment:
- Detection: PCR tests of cerebrospinal fluid.
- Precautions: Hold nose or wear nose clips while jumping/diving into fresh water, keep head high, avoid digging in shallow waters, use distilled or boiled water for nasal clearing.
- Treatment: Following CDC guidelines, using drugs like miltefosine, Azithromycin, and Amphotericin B.

Preventive Measures:

Guidelines: Special guidelines for treatment formulated.
Advice: Avoid swimming in stagnant water, use swimming nose clips, and keep water resources clean.
Water Management: Chlorination of water in pools and theme parks.

Source: TH