Kerala Health Minister Veena George explained on Wednesday that although there have been some verified cases of Primary Amoebic Meningoencephalitis (PAM), there hasn’t been a cluster outbreak of the illness this year, despite growing concerns about its spread. The minister also disclosed that in 2025, Kerala recorded 69 cases and 19 fatalities associated with the uncommon and frequently lethal brain infection.
Minister George told ANI, “It’s individual cases, not clusters. We had clusters, but not in 2025. However, because the same water source was used in 2024, there was a cluster there. Although there isn’t a cluster here, there are cases—69 cases in total.
After multiple cases of Primary Amoebic Meningoencephalitis (PAM), Kerala’s health department is on high alert. PAM is an extremely uncommon and often lethal amoebic infection of the brain caused by the amoeba Naegleria fowleri, commonly referred to as the “brain-eating amoeba.” According to government data, in August and September of 2025, Kerala had many deaths from Primary Amoebic Meningoencephalitis (PAM) infections in various districts. The Kerala Health Department, the National Center for Disease Control, and the Health Ministry have increased monitoring across the state.
In contrast to 2024, when clusters from Kozhikode, Malappuram, and Kannur were reported, authorities determined that this year’s instances do not share a common water source. George added that since the Nipah outbreak in 2023, Kerala’s reaction has improved, and doctors are now instructed to diagnose and treat meningoencephalitis cases promptly for amoebic encephalitis.
PAM happens when freshwater contamination causes Naegleria fowleri to enter the body through the nose, usually while swimming or taking a bath. Notably, drinking water cannot spread it.
Among the main signs of PAM are:
- Unexpectedly elevated fever
- A rather bad headache
- Vomiting and feeling queasy stiff neck
- Disorientation or confusion
- Convulsions unconsciousness