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Kodikunnil Suresh, MP, has written to Union Health Minister J.P. Nadda seeking urgent Union government intervention in Kerala in view of the rise in amoebic meningoencephalitis cases. Mr. Suresh urged the Centre to send a high-level medical team to the State. In his letter to the Minister, the Mavelikara MP said the disease, caused by the Naegleria fowleri amoeba — often referred to as the “brain-eating amoeba” — is rare but extremely fatal and requires urgent expert medical attention. He noted that the condition progresses rapidly and needs early detection, specialised treatment, and proper laboratory diagnosis, which are currently limited at the State level. The MP urged the Union Health Ministry to dispatch a high-level Central expert team to Kerala to assist in diagnosis, treatment and public health management. “There is a need to provide immediate technical and logistic support to strengthen diagnostic facilities in the affected districts, issue public health advisories and awareness campaigns to prevent exposure to contaminated water sources and facilitate research collaboration through the ICMR, NIV and NCDC to trace the environmental sources and ensure preventive containment,” Mr. Suresh said. He said that swift Central intervention was essential to prevent further loss of life and to reassure the public. “Public health cannot afford delay or complacency. The Centre must step in immediately with expert assistance and awareness measures to protect lives,” the MP said.
