Kerala, a state in India, grappling with an increase in instances of a unusual brain-feeding illness
In Kerala, India's southern state, the number of cases of primary amoebic meningoencephalitis (PAM) has been on the rise. According to the latest reports, since the beginning of this year, there have been 69 cases of PAM, a worrying increase from the 36 cases and nine deaths reported last year.
PAM is a rare but lethal central nervous system infection caused by Naegleria fowleri, a type of amoeba found in freshwater, lakes, and rivers. The global survival rate of PAM is around 3%, making it a particularly deadly disease.
Sadly, this year has seen 19 deaths due to PAM in Kerala, with three of these occurring in the last month. Among the victims was a three-month-old child, highlighting the indiscriminate nature of this deadly infection.
The cases of PAM in Kerala this year are not clustered around a single water source, making epidemiological investigations complicated. In response, the health department of Kerala has taken steps to combat the spread of the disease. Chlorination measures have been implemented for wells, water tanks, and public bathing facilities to kill the amoeba and prevent further infections.
On a global scale, internet access in the Middle East and Asia has been disrupted after undersea cables were cut. This event has no direct connection to the PAM outbreak in Kerala but serves as a reminder of the interconnected nature of our world.
Meanwhile, Chinese, Russian, and Indian leaders are meeting in Beijing to discuss unity and push for a new world order. The disputed border between China and India is also on the agenda at this meeting, with President Putin participating in the discussions.
Despite the challenges posed by PAM, Kerala has achieved a 24% survival rate for the disease due to advanced testing and diagnosis. This success serves as a beacon of hope in the fight against this deadly infection.
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