India Raises Health Alert Over Rise in Deadly ‘Brain-Eating’ Amoeba Cases

India has issued a health alert following a rise in infections and deaths caused by a rare water-borne “brain-eating” amoeba in the southern state of Kerala, with cases doubling compared to last year.

According to government officials, 19 deaths and 72 infections linked to Naegleria fowleri have been reported so far this year, including nine deaths and 24 cases recorded in September alone. By comparison, nine deaths and 36 infections were reported throughout last year.

Dr. Altaf Ali, a member of a state task force set up to monitor the spread, said large-scale testing is being carried out to detect and treat infections. He noted that unlike previous outbreaks, this year’s cases have been reported across the state rather than in isolated areas.

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) describes Naegleria fowleri as a “brain-eating amoeba” because it infects the brain and destroys brain tissue. Once it reaches the brain, the infection is almost always fatal, with a mortality rate of over 95 percent.

The amoeba thrives in warm lakes and rivers and infects people when contaminated water enters the nose. It cannot spread from person to person.

The World Health Organization (WHO) states that symptoms begin with headache, fever, and vomiting, before rapidly progressing to seizures, hallucinations, altered mental status, and coma.

Since 1962, nearly 500 cases have been reported worldwide, mainly in the United States, India, Pakistan, and Australia.