Brain Fever Alert for Sabarimala Pilgrims

As the Sabarimala pilgrimage season commences, Karnataka's Health Department has released vital guidelines to protect devotees from a rare and potentially fatal brain infection. The 'brain-eating amoeba,' Naegleria fowleri, which thrives in warm freshwater, can cause amoebic meningoencephalitis when water enters the nasal passages.

Devotees are strongly urged to ensure water does not enter their nose while bathing and are recommended to use nose clips as a preventive measure. The infection cannot be transmitted person-to-person or by consuming contaminated water. Immediate medical attention is advised for anyone developing symptoms such as severe headache, fever, or altered mental status after water exposure.

This advisory comes in light of an increase in amoebic meningoencephalitis cases and coincides with the massive influx of devotees to the Lord Ayyappa shrine. Health officials emphasize that vigilance and adherence to these simple precautions are key to ensuring a safe pilgrimage for the large number of devotees traveling from Karnataka and beyond.