Brain-eating amoeba outbreak: Kerala confirms 67 cases, 18 deaths so far this year

Kerala has reported 67 confirmed cases of amoebic meningoencephalitis so far in 2025, with 18 people dying from the rare brain infection, revised figures from the state health department showed on Monday.

Officials said the numbers were updated under the Integrated Disease Surveillance Programme. Earlier, reports had placed the tally at 66 cases and 17 deaths.

A 17-year-old boy in Thiruvananthapuram was among the latest victims. He had reportedly swum at the Akkulam Tourist Village pool, which has now been shut down for water quality testing.

So far this year, cases have been reported from multiple districts, prompting health authorities to step up awareness drives and sanitation



checks. 

Historically associated with polluted freshwater sources such as lakes and ponds, recent incidents have puzzled specialists. Infections have also been documented in people who only bathed at home. A particularly concerning case involved a three-month-old baby with no contact with outdoor water sources, highlighting new worries about unidentified transmission pathways.

Government response

Health Minister Veena George urged people to exercise caution while bathing or swimming in untreated water sources. George shared a video on her official Facebook account and wrote, "What preventive measures should be taken to prevent the disease called amoebic encephalitis? Some of the things we need to know first."