Karnataka Issues Health Guidelines for Sabarimala Pilgrims Amid Rise in ‘Brain-Eating Amoeba’ Cases

The Karnataka government has issued a health advisory for devotees travelling to Sabarimala, following recent cases of amoebic meningoencephalitis-an often fatal brain infection caused by Naegleria fowleri, commonly known as the "brain-eating amoeba." The guidelines seek to protect lakhs of pilgrims making their annual journey to the Lord Ayyappa shrine.

What Is Naegleria Fowleri?

Naegleria fowleri is a highly aggressive microorganism found in warm freshwater bodies, stagnant pools, and sandy riverbeds. Infection occurs only when contaminated water enters the nose, allowing the amoeba to travel to the brain. It does not spread from person to person, nor does drinking contaminated water cause infection.

Key Precautions for Pilgrims

The Karnataka government has urged all devotees to take strict precautions, especially when bathing during the pilgrimage. Pilgrims are advised to:

Avoid water entering the nose; use nose clips while bathing.

Seek immediate medical care at the nearest government hospital if symptoms occur after water exposure.

Warning symptoms include fever, severe headache, vomiting, nausea, neck stiffness, confusion, or behavioural changes-signs that require urgent attention.

Kerala's Health Department has also issued a similar alert as the pilgrimage season begins, stressing that bathing without proper precautions significantly increases infection risk.

Heavy Rush at Sabarimala

The annual 'mandala-makaravilakku' season witnessed a massive surge in devotees:

53,278 pilgrims visited the shrine on the opening day, November 16.

Within just 48 hours, nearly two lakh devotees reached Sabarimala in Pathanamthitta.

The route from Pamba to Sannidhanam saw heavy congestion, with long queues and waiting times stretching up to 10 hours, causing bottlenecks along the trekking path.

Ensuring a Safe Pilgrimage

With a large number of Ayyappan devotees from Karnataka visiting Sabarimala each year, the state's advisory aims to reduce avoidable health risks. Authorities emphasise that simple precautions and swift medical intervention can significantly lower the likelihood of contracting the rare but deadly infection.

As the pilgrimage season continues, health officials urge all devotees to stay vigilant, follow safety guidelines, and prioritise protection while undertaking the sacred journey.