An elderly woman from Kothamangalam in Ernakulam district has died after contracting amoebic meningoencephalitis, commonly known as amoebic brain fever. The deceased was a resident of Nellikkuzhi panchayat. The Health Department confirmed the infection based on hospital reports.
Although two cases of amoebic brain fever had been reported in the district a few months ago, both patients had recovered following treatment. In the latest case, symptoms reportedly began two weeks ago and the woman was admitted to a private hospital in Kothamangalam. Later she was later shifted to a private hospital in Aluva for advanced treatment.
As her condition showed no significant improvement, she was brought back to a private hospital in Kothamangalam after three days. She died while undergoing treatment there.
The woman, who was employed under the rural employment guarantee scheme, regularly worked in agricultural fields. Health officials examined around 20 people who worked alongside her under the scheme, but none showed symptoms of the disease.
Officials from the Health Department also conducted inspections in nearly 80 houses near the deceased woman’s residence and collected information from residents. Super chlorination of wells in the area was also carried out as a precautionary measure.
Meanwhile, the first reported death due to amoebic brain fever in Ernakulam district has raised concerns among residents. While the district had previously reported two cases of the disease, both patients had recovered.
According to data, Kerala reported 19 cases of amoebic brain fever this month alone. In 2026, the state has reported a total of 115 cases and 20 deaths linked to the infection.
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