• Kerala reports 19 deaths and 72 cases of brain-eating amoeba in 2025.
• The infection is linked to the Naegleria fowleri amoeba, found in warm freshwater.
• Health officials are conducting widespread testing and chlorination efforts.

Kerala's health authorities are on high alert following a significant rise in cases of primary amoebic meningoencephalitis (PAM), commonly known as a brain-eating amoeba, causing at least 19 deaths and 72 infections this year. State Health Minister Veena George confirmed that this year's statistics represent a dramatic increase compared to the previous year, where only nine deaths were recorded from 36 cases, prompting urgent health alerts across the state, according to Indiatimes and TRT Global.

The Naegleria fowleri amoeba primarily lives in warm freshwater environments and can enter the body through the nose, leading to severe brain infections. Health experts note that the infection can be "very rare but nearly always fatal," with a mortality rate exceeding 95%. Symptoms typically progress rapidly from headache and fever to seizures and coma, according to information from the CDC referenced by SCMP and Al Jazeera.

Unlike last year's outbreak which was concentrated in specific areas due to contaminated water sources, this year’s cases appear isolated and widespread across Kerala, complicating epidemiological efforts. In response, health teams are initiating large-scale testing and precautionary measures, including chlorinating wells and public bathing areas to mitigate risks. Officials have emphasized the urgent need for heightened surveillance to manage the situation effectively, according to Indiatimes, SCMP, and TRT Global.

Health Minister George noted, "Unlike last year, we are not seeing clusters linked to a single water source... these are single, isolated cases, which has complicated our epidemiological investigations," reflecting the changing landscape of the outbreak’s spread. The Kerala government continues to work closely with health agencies to ensure the safety of its communities, focusing on education and prevention strategies amidst ongoing infections, as detailed by Al Jazeera and TRT Global.