Amoebic Meningoencephalitis: Waste Dumping Identified as Primary Cause in Kerala
Thiruvananthapuram: Dr. Harris Chirakkal, former head of the Urology department at Thiruvananthapuram Medical College Hospital, has unequivocally stated that irresponsible waste disposal is the root cause of the rising cases of amoebic meningoencephalitis in Kerala. The state has recorded approximately 140 infections and 26 deaths due to this severe brain fever.
Dr. Chirakkal highlighted a critical observation: neighboring states like Tamil Nadu and Karnataka, along with other parts of the country, are not reporting similar outbreaks of the disease. He emphasized that extensive research is unnecessary to pinpoint the cause, directly attributing the problem to widespread waste dumping.
In a detailed Facebook post, Dr. Chirakkal elaborated on his concerns. He reiterated that the approximately 140 cases and 26 fatalities from amoebic meningoencephalitis underscore a profound public health crisis unique to Kerala in comparison to its immediate neighbors. He strongly argued that the lack of proper environmental hygiene is the singular factor behind the emergence of such severe diseases, which were virtually unheard of two to three decades ago.
He pointed to the rampant practice of discarding slaughterhouse waste, hotel refuse, and septic tank effluents into natural water bodies such as ponds and rivers. Dr. Chirakkal asserted that the consequences currently being faced are a direct result of these actions. Furthermore, he noted that other prevalent health issues like leptospirosis, mosquito-borne diseases such as dengue fever, and the menace of stray dogs are all clear indicators of a deteriorating sanitary environment.
Dr. Chirakkal concluded by stressing that addressing this issue is a collective responsibility of society. He cautioned against misplaced blame, stating that “blaming doctors will not help” in resolving a problem stemming from systemic environmental negligence. The onus is on the community and authorities to implement stringent waste management practices and restore environmental cleanliness to curb the spread of such preventable diseases.