19 dead this year: 'Brain-eating' amoeba sparks political slugfest in Kerala House

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The "brain-eating" parasitic infection amoebic meningoencephalitis has killed a three-month-old, a 52-year-old, and 17 others across Kerala this year. On Wednesday, grief turned into fury in the assembly, where opposition accused LDF government of presiding over a health system in free fall.

Congress-led UDF moved an adjournment motion, saying 19 people had died this year from the rare infection, including Lathakumari of Thiruvananthapuram last week. The notice charged the government with ignoring awareness campaigns at local level, where those exposed to stagnant water are most at risk. It also flagged rising cases of jaundice, dengue, leptospirosis, typhoid and diarrhoeal diseases - calling the situation a "collapse of public health management".

Primary amoebic meningoencephalitis is rare. Globally, fewer than 500 cases have ever been reported. Yet Kerala has seen over 120 so far, including 68 this year. Infection occurs when contaminated freshwater enters the nose, letting the amoeba reach the brain through the sinus and destroy tissue.

On Sept 1, an infant and a woman died while under treatment at Kozhikode Govt Medical College Hospital. "We are providing the best possible treatment, including the imported drug miltefosine," principal KG Sajeeth Kumar had said, adding that both were infected by the same Naegleria fowleri strain. Govt has launched Jalamanu Jeevan (water is life), a statewide chlorination drive covering wells, swimming pools and tanks.

Congress' VD Satheesan lashed out: "Eight people died in 15 days. What is the protocol? What are people supposed to do? Even a baby was infected - was that child in a swimming pool?"

Health minister Veena George hit back with a data-heavy defence, calling the charges a smear. "Congress is trying to run down health sector. They say treatment outside govt hospitals is cheaper-who are they helping?"

She highlighted Kerala's gains: infant mortality down from 12 during UDF's tenure to five today; liver transplants successful and free at Kottayam MCH; 13 district hospitals equipped with cath labs. She cited crisis response: "When Nipah, with 70% fatality rate, struck, we brought it down to 33%." But her repeated comparisons with UDF's record from a decade ago rang hollow to critics.

Satheesan accused George of dodging accountability: "Kerala's health is on a ventilator, yet the minister hides behind old numbers. From Rs 5,419 in 2016-17, per capita out-of-pocket health expense has risen to Rs 7,889 Instead of acting, state govt reacts after lives are lost."