‘Brain-eating amoeba’The invisible killer in Kerala waters

Fighting against the odds

There is no single cure for PAM, but Kerala hospitals are adopting aggressive multi-drug regimens.
Amphotericin B: The mainstay drug, administered intravenously or directly into spinal fluid.Miltefosine: Added as an oral therapy; Kerala began using it after global evidence showed promise.Rifampicin and Azoles: Supportive antimicrobials.Critical care: Measures to reduce brain swelling, prevent seizures, and support vital functions.Doctors now form multi-disciplinary teams – neurologists, paediatricians, infectious disease specialists, and critical care experts – to manage cases.Still, with a mortality rate above 98%, treatment remains a last-ditch fight.​​

Glimmers of hope
For the first time, Kerala is reporting survivors. In 2025, about 24% of patients have pulled through, thanks to early diagnosis and aggressive therapy.
Among them are two children from Malappuram who lost a sibling but survived themselves. Their recoveries highlight the importance of early intervention and public vigilance.

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