Key Points

A three-month-old baby has died from amoebic encephalitis at Kozhikode Medical College after a month of treatment. The Kerala government reports 41 cases of this deadly infection across multiple districts this year. Health Minister Veena George has launched a statewide water cleaning campaign to prevent further spread. The "Water is Life" initiative focuses on chlorinating wells and cleaning water tanks to combat waterborne diseases.

Key Points: Amoebic Encephalitis Death at Kozhikode Medical College Baby Dies

  • 3-month-old baby dies after month-long treatment for amoebic encephalitis
  • Kerala reports 41 cases across five districts this year
  • Health Minister chairs meeting to clean state water bodies
  • Government launches "Water is Life" campaign with chlorination drive
2 min read

Amoebic Encephalitis leads to another death at Kozhikode Medical College

A 3-month-old baby dies from amoebic encephalitis in Kerala as state reports 41 cases this year. Health Minister launches water cleaning campaign to prevent spread.

"It should be ensured that all wells in the local government area are chlorinated - State Government Directive"

Thiruvananthapuram, September 1

A three-month-old baby infected with amoebic encephalitis died on Sunday at the Kozhikode Medical College. The deceased was the son of Abubacker Siddique, a native of Omassery, Kozhikode

The deceased was undergoing treatment for the past month. Amoebic encephalitis cases were reported in Kozhikode, Wayanad, Malappuram, Kollam and Thiruvananthapuram districts.

According to a report issued by the state government last week, 41 cases of amoebic encephalitis have been reported this year.

Meanwhile, Health Minister Veena George chaired a high-level meeting and decided to clean the state's water bodies. Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan also requested local self-government authorities to strengthen their preventive measures.

The state government had launched the "Water is life" (Jalamanu Jeevan) campaign to prevent waterborne diseases. This program involves the Health Department, the Local Self-Government Department, the General Education Department, and the Haritha Keralam Mission, among others.

The "Water is Life" campaign was launched under the leadership of the Haritha Keralam Mission. In line with this, activities should be undertaken to chlorinate all the wells in the state and clean the water tanks in homes and institutions on August 30 and 31.

This has been proven effective in preventing waterborne diseases, including amoebic encephalitis. It should be ensured that all wells in the local government area are chlorinated and that all water tanks are cleaned.

Additionally, awareness activities targeting schools and follow-up initiatives, such as cleaning the local water sources, should be implemented.

Studies show that this amoeba is present in wells and uncleaned water tanks in addition to polluted ponds and rivers. The Waste-Free New Kerala campaign, which aims to make Kerala the cleanest state in the country, has made exemplary progress.

The Chief Minister also requested that the governing body have active leadership to plan campaign activities accurately and implement them in a timely and effective manner.

- ANI

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Reader Comments

R
Rohit P
The "Water is Life" campaign is a good initiative but why did it take 41 cases and multiple deaths to launch this? Prevention should have been prioritized earlier. Our water management system needs urgent overhaul.
S
Sarah B
As a mother, this terrifies me. We've started boiling all drinking water after the first cases were reported. The government should make water testing facilities more accessible to common people.
V
Vikram M
Chlorination drives are good but what about long-term solutions? We need better water treatment plants and regular monitoring. This is basic public health infrastructure that Kerala should have perfected by now.
A
Ananya R
The awareness campaigns in schools are crucial. Children can be effective messengers to their families about water safety practices. Hope they implement this properly across all districts.
M
Michael C
Having lived in Kerala for 3 years, I've seen how dependent people are on well water. The government needs to provide affordable RO water solutions in affected areas as an immediate measure.

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