ICMR study identifies well water as major risk factor for amoebic meningoencephalitis in Keralam

A recent joint study by the Keralam Health Department and researchers from the National Institute of Epidemiology in Chennai has unveiled significant risk factors for amoebic meningoencephalitis (AME) in the Indian state of Kerala. The case-control research revealed that exposure to natural water sources and the use of unchlorinated water for bathing and domestic activities greatly increase a person's likelihood of contracting AME, which is primarily caused by the Acanthamoeba species.

The study, published in the CDC's Emerging Infectious Diseases journal, suggests that water quality in Keralam's wells is a critical public health concern that requires year-round surveillance, chlorination, and maintenance by local governments. Of the 159 AME cases identified in Kerala between January 2025 and November 2025, 67 were confirmed through PCR testing, with 88.2% of these cases attributed to Acanthamoeba.

The researchers found that individuals who used well water for bathing or washing their face had 2.95 times higher odds of contracting AME, with the estimated population attributable fraction (PAF) reaching 34.2%. The study underscores the need for public health messaging focused on reducing high-risk exposures, particularly during the monsoon and post-monsoon periods, and emphasizes the importance of routine chlorination of domestic water sources in a State where well usage remains prevalent.