10-year-old boy contracts suspected amoebic meningoencephalitis

A 10-year-old boy from Palemad, Edakkara, near Nilambur was admitted to Government Medical College Hospital at Kozhikode with symptoms of suspected amoebic meningoencephalitis on Thursday.

The boy developed a fever on Tuesday and started vomiting soon after. He is believed to have contracted the fever while visiting his mother’s house at Kottepadam, Chungathara.

The boy received initial treatment at the primary health centre at Kottepadam on Wednesday. However, after showing symptoms of amoebic meningoencephalitis, doctors referred him to Government Medical College Hospital at Kozhikode for further care.

Health officials inspected the boy’s mother’s house at Kottepadam and conducted a symptomatic survey in the area. They also started chlorination of wells and ponds in the region as a precautionary measure.

Ameen Faizal, medical officer at thew Edakkara Community Health Centre, has urged people experiencing symptoms like fever, headache, throat pain and vomiting to visit the nearest government hospital for medical attention.