Bengaluru, 18 Nov

In response to reported cases of Amoebic meningoencephalitis linked to the "brain-eating amoeba" Naegleria fowleri in Kerala, the Karnataka government has issued a safety advisory for pilgrims travelling to Sabarimala.

The advisory was released by the Commissionerate of Health and Family Welfare Services and urges vigilance among those making the pilgrimage.

Naegleria fowleri is a free-living amoeba predominantly found in warm freshwater sources, such as stagnant water, ponds, swimming pools, and lakes. The advisory clarifies that the infection does not spread from person to person or through ingestion of contaminated water. However, the organism can be highly virulent when inhaled through water, potentially leading to a rare and often fatal disease known as Amoebic meningoencephalitis.

Pilgrims are advised to "take precautions by using nose clips or holding your nose tightly while bathing in stagnant water during the Yatra to prevent water from entering."

The advisory also stresses the importance of early detection, urging anyone who experiences symptoms such as fever, severe headache, nausea, vomiting, stiff neck, confusion, or behavioural changes within seven days of water exposure to seek immediate medical attention. "Do not ignore it and contact the nearest government hospital or doctor for emergency care," it concluded.