In the Indian state of Kéra, a 9-year-old girl died of a rare and often fatal infection caused by so-called. “A brain eating amoeba”, confirmed the local health authorities. The child from the Thamarasser area was hospitalized 13. August with fever and his condition quickly worsened. After being transferred to a hospital in Kozhikoda, tests confirmed the infection with the primary améb’s meningoencephalitis, writes the portal.
According to the authorities, this is one of three cases in the district, with a three -month child and another person are still in critical condition. “We do not know how a three -month -old child has been infected with this rare disease,” said a representative of health care.
The infection is caused by Naegleria fowleri – a microorganism commonly occurring in warm standing water and soil. It gets into the body most often through the nose In contact with contaminated water and then travels to the brain where it destroys the tissue. Symptoms occur within a few days and lead to seizures, coma and often death. Authorities are trying to track a specific source of infection in Thamarasser.
Worldwide, this infection has a deadness of up to 97 %. India recorded the first case in 1971, but a sharp increase occurred in recent years just in Kérala. While only 8 cases were reported between 2016 and 2022, 36 infections and 9 deaths were added in 2023. The first patients in India who survived this in July 2024 became a 14-year-old boy from Kozhikode, joining only ten known survivors in the world.
Experts attribute an increase in infections to better diagnosis, environmental pollution and climate change. Local authorities have already introduced special treatment protocols and recommend avoiding bathing in stagnant warm waters after rains and using clean, filtered water for nasal rinses.
In Slovakia, the Améba killed 11-year-old Tomášek
Slovak shaken the report of the death of eleven -year -old Tomášek, who fought with this parasite. The pupil was hospitalized at the National Institute of Children’s Diseases (NÚDCH) in Bratislava, but despite the efforts of doctors 17. June died.
Doctors worked with the boy diagnosed with naegleriosis. Naegleriosis, or primary amoeba meningoencephalitis is a rare disease of the central nervous system, the cause of which is the meňavka Naegleria fowleri (tear malignant). It is an organism that is commonly found in various types of freshwater environment IV soil.
After a sad case that shook Slovakia, there are many People asked if such a thing could be prevented. American (CDC) has published some tips on how to protect themselves from this dangerous parasite.
Brain infections caused by Naegleria fowleri usually occur after swimming or diving in a lake, river or other fresh water during the summer months. Infections often occur when it is hot for a long time, resulting in higher water temperatures and lower water levels. CDC states that you cannot get infected by swallowing water -containing water and also from another personor transfer it to others.
Reducing the risk of infection with a bacterium
– When jumping or diving into the fresh water you Hold your nose or use a nose clip.
– In thermal springs Always have your head above the water surface.
– Don’t kick in shallow water, Because there is a amoeba more often.
– When flushing cavities or cleaning of the nasal passages Use distilled or boiled tap water.
Infection they lose weight It usually occurs when contaminated water enters the nasal cavity. From there it penetrates into the brain and causes disease naegleriosis. Among the early one Symptoms of infection of primary amoeba meningoencephalitis (PAM) include headache, fever, nausea and vomiting.
Pam progresses quickly and most people die within 1 to 18 days from the beginning of the symptoms. With the progress of Pam may be among the symptoms to be included Silled neck, confusion, lack of attention to people and surroundings, loss of balance and hallucinations. Naegleria fowleri can destroy brain tissue and cause brain swelling. Unfortunately, more than 97 % of people with PAM died of this infection.
