Daijiworld Media Network - Mangaluru
Mangaluru, Apr 14: The Dakshina Kannada district health department has firmly clarified that no deaths have been reported in the district due to amoeba infection, dismissing recent media reports and urging the public not to panic.
District health officer Dr Thimmayya said reports circulated over the past two to three days claiming deaths linked to the infection were inaccurate. He confirmed that no such cases have been recorded anywhere in Dakshina Kannada district.
He further stated that organisms identified in certain samples were mobile bacteria associated with other illnesses and not related to the feared amoebic infection being discussed in the media.
Dr Thimmayya also explained Amoebic Meningoencephalitis caused by Naegleria fowleri, commonly referred to as the “brain-eating amoeba”, describing it as a rare but extremely serious and often fatal infection of the brain.
The amoeba is typically found in warm freshwater environments such as ponds, lakes, canals, stagnant water bodies, and inadequately maintained swimming pools. Infection occurs when contaminated water enters the body through the nose during activities such as swimming, bathing, diving, or playing in water. Once inside, the amoeba can travel to the brain and trigger a rapidly progressing and severe infection.
Importantly, he stressed that the infection is not spread by drinking contaminated water and is not transmitted from person to person. However, individuals with a history of nasal surgery or structural nasal abnormalities are advised to take extra precautions when exposed to such water sources.
Symptoms include severe headache, fever, vomiting, neck stiffness, confusion, altered consciousness, seizures, and loss of consciousness. Officials noted that symptoms typically develop within 1 to 12 days after exposure and may worsen rapidly once they begin.
As preventive measures, the health department has advised the public to avoid swimming, bathing, diving, or jumping into stagnant or warm freshwater sources such as ponds, lakes, and canals. Swimmers have been urged to use nose clips to prevent water entering the nasal passages and to avoid disturbing mud or sediment in shallow waters.
Authorities also emphasised that swimming pools must be properly chlorinated and maintained to safety standards. For nasal cleansing or sinus irrigation, only boiled and cooled water or distilled water should be used.
The department further cautioned that anyone developing symptoms such as fever, severe headache, vomiting, neck stiffness, or altered consciousness after exposure to water bodies should be taken immediately to the nearest hospital without delay.
Officials reiterated that there is no cause for alarm in Dakshina Kannada and appealed to residents to rely only on verified health information, warning against the spread of misinformation regarding the infection.