Another amoebic brain fever death reported in Kerala

A 48-year-old man from Koyilandy in Kozhikode district of Kerala died of amoebic meningoencephalitis on Monday (July 27, 2026) morning.

Biju, an autorickshaw driver from Naderi, had been undergoing treatment at the Kozhikode Government Medical College Hospital. He had sought treatment for fever earlier this month, and amoebic meningoencephalitis was confirmed on July 22. Following the diagnosis, health workers initiated containment measures in his native place. They are yet to ascertain how he contracted the infection.

According to the Health department, there have been 14 cases of the infection across Kerala this month (July) and four deaths. Since January 2026, there have been 155 confirmed cases and 41 deaths in the State. Health experts say two types of this infection are widely reported in Kerala: primary amoebic meningoencephalitis (PAM) and granulomatous amoebic encephalitis (GAE). PAE is caused by Naegleria fowleri, while organisms such as Balamuthia mandrillaris and Acanthamoeba are behind GAE.

Naegleria fowleri, also called “brain-eating amoeba”, enters the body through the nose during swimming or diving. It travels up the olfactory nerve to reach the brain. Acanthamoeba usually enters the body through small skin breaks, wounds, or the inhalation of contaminated water aerosols. It then disseminates via the blood stream to the brain.