Health Dept Warns Head Injury Patients Against Public Waterbodies After ICMR Study

Health authorities have issued a public advisory urging people with head injuries, facial wounds, or recent head and nose surgeries to avoid public waterbodies, following a joint study by the Health department and the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) that found they face a high risk of amoebic encephalitis.

The study found that swimming or diving in ponds and canals multiplied the risk of infection for those with maxillofacial injuries or a history of nasal surgery. Exposing skin wounds or ulcers to natural waterbodies was found to be even more dangerous, with several times higher odds of infection.

According to health officials, Acanthamoeba — an amoeba found in soil and water — can enter through broken skin and travel to the brain, causing a slow infection. Other routes of infection include washing wounds in waterbodies, using non-chlorinated well water, and water forcefully entering the nose while bathing.

Officials said the State currently records a 25.8 per cent mortality rate for amoebic encephalitis. While Naegleria fowleri infection turns critical quickly and is often fatal, Acanthamoeba infections respond better to treatment.

The advisory carries particular weight in a State where many households depend on wells. Officials noted that amoebae can multiply rapidly in poorly maintained wells, especially during heavy rain, flooding, sewage contamination, or algal growth. The risk is higher now with less rain and rising heat.

Last month, a youth died of Acanthamoeba infection at Kadampuzha near Kottakkal in Malappuram, and a child in the district is under treatment for amoebic infection.

The Health department has directed local bodies to clean public ponds and ensure the chlorination of wells.