Kerala Health Minister Veena George Develops SOP for Rare Disease Amoebic Meningoencephalitis
Thiruvananthapuram (Kerala) [India], August 7: Kerala Health Minister Veena George announced that the Kerala government has created a Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) for treating amoebic meningoencephalitis, a very rare disease globally. She explained that the country previously lacked an SOP for this disease.
Current Cases and Treatment
Minister George shared that two children have been discharged, and there are currently nine active cases, with seven reported in Thiruvananthapuram. The first case was reported on July 21, and the patient passed away on July 23. She mentioned that the condition of the patients is stabilizing and emphasized the importance of early diagnosis and proper treatment.
Government Actions and Research
The Union government initially supplied the necessary medicine, and a medical board is monitoring the patients’ conditions. The Kerala government has also contacted the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) for a combined study and research, which has responded positively.
Non-Contagious Nature of the Disease
Minister George clarified that amoebic meningoencephalitis is not contagious and does not spread through direct contact. It spreads through amoeba found in contaminated water and can affect adults with sensitive nasal membranes or those who have undergone skull surgery. She noted that people got infected after coming into contact with contaminated water.
Preventive Measures
On July 5, the Kerala government held a meeting led by Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan to discuss the disease. CM Vijayan advised people to avoid swimming in unclean water and ensure swimming pools are properly chlorinated. Health Minister Veena George, Chief Secretary Dr. Venu V., Additional Chief Secretary of the Health Department Rajan Khobragade, and Director of the Virology Institute Dr. E. Sreekumar attended the meeting.
About Amoebic Meningoencephalitis
Amoebic meningoencephalitis is caused by Naegleria fowleri, an amoeba that infects the brain. It is a rare disease, with only 2.6 out of 10 lakh people who come in contact with contaminated water getting infected. The amoeba enters the body through the nose and causes encephalitis, severely affecting the brain. Symptoms include severe headache, fever, nausea, vomiting, and difficulty turning the neck, progressing to epilepsy, loss of consciousness, and memory loss. Diagnosis is made by testing spinal fluid.
Doubts Revealed
Kerala -: Kerala is a state in the southern part of India. It is known for its beautiful backwaters, beaches, and rich culture.
Health Minister -: A Health Minister is a government official responsible for public health and medical services in a region. In this case, Veena George is the Health Minister of Kerala.
Veena George -: Veena George is a politician and the current Health Minister of Kerala. She is responsible for managing health-related issues in the state.
SOP -: SOP stands for Standard Operating Procedure. It is a set of step-by-step instructions to help workers carry out routine operations. In this context, it is a guide for treating a specific disease.
Amoebic Meningoencephalitis -: Amoebic Meningoencephalitis is a rare and serious infection of the brain caused by an amoeba called Naegleria fowleri. It usually spreads through contaminated water.
Thiruvananthapuram -: Thiruvananthapuram is the capital city of Kerala. It is also known as Trivandrum and is famous for its historical landmarks and educational institutions.
Naegleria fowleri -: Naegleria fowleri is a type of amoeba, a tiny living organism, that can cause a rare and severe brain infection. It is often found in warm freshwater.
Contagious -: Contagious means that a disease can spread from one person to another. In this case, amoebic meningoencephalitis is not contagious, meaning it does not spread between people.
Indian Council of Medical Research -: The Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) is a government body in India that conducts and supports medical research. It helps in finding new ways to treat and prevent diseases.
