At least 19 people in Kerala have died this year from Primary Amoebic Meningoencephalitis (PAM), a rare but fatal brain infection caused by Naegleria fowleri, commonly known as the “brain-eating amoeba.”

Kerala Health Minister Veena George said on Thursday that unlike last year, there has been no cluster outbreak in 2025. All 69 confirmed cases so far have been isolated incidents. In 2024, several cluster outbreaks were linked to people using the same water sources, she added.

PAM is a form of amoebic encephalitis that infects the central nervous system, usually through contaminated freshwater. The infection destroys brain tissue, causes severe swelling, and is almost always fatal, mostly affecting children, teenagers and young adults.

According to Kerala’s health department, exposure often occurs while swimming or diving in warm freshwater, or through the use of neti pots in sinus treatment. In most cases, patients die within one to two weeks of infection.

The symptoms resemble bacterial meningitis — including headaches, fever, vomiting and nausea — making diagnosis difficult. In some cases, patients lose their sense of smell or taste. The disease typically progresses rapidly, turning critical within hours to two days.

Source: Hindustan Times

A woman in Feni’s Chhagalnaiya, Farida Yasmin, had a piece of gauze removed from her abdomen six months after undergoing a C-section.
According to family sources, Farida’s cesarean delivery was performed on February 3 at Al-Kemi Hospital under the supervision of Dr. Taslima Akter. After returning home, she began experiencing persistent abdominal pain. Subsequent medical tests revealed a piece of surgical gauze had been left inside her body.
On August 28, doctors at Al Baraka Hospital in Feni performed a second surgery and successfully removed the gauze. Farida is now under medical observation at the same hospital.
Her family has held Dr. Taslima responsible for the negligence and is preparing to take legal action. Feni Civil Surgeon Dr. Rubayed Karim confirmed that action will be taken based on the complaint.

A total of 450 underprivileged patients in Durgapur, Netrokona, have regained their eyesight through free cataract surgeries initiated by Barrister Kaiser Kamal, under the directive of BNP’s acting chairman Tarique Rahman.

On Thursday (28 August), the 11th phase of the programme saw 21 more patients undergo surgery at Dr. K Zaman BNSB Eye Hospital in Mymensingh. Since 21 July, 11 phases of operations have been completed, covering 218 women and 232 men.

According to local sources, 932 patients had been selected in February during a free medical and eye care camp. Following the first schedule, patients will receive follow-up treatment and glasses as required. Another 481 surgeries are planned in the second schedule.

Kaiser Kamal has borne all expenses, including transport, accommodation, and medicine for the patients. Grateful beneficiaries expressed relief after regaining their sight, while Kamal thanked doctors, nurses, and his party team, vowing to continue the humanitarian initiative.