How does 'brain eating amoeba' that killed 19 in Kerala spread?
Kerala health authorities are on alert after spike in cases of Primary Amoebic Meningoencephalitis, with 19 deaths reported. It affects central nervous system. Warm, especially stagnant, freshwater bodies are a carrier of the "brain-eating amoeba". The portal of entry is through olfactory mucosa and cribriform plate. This puts those swimming or bathing in contaminated water bodies at high risk.