Kerala Receives UAE-Donated Medicine for Rare Brain Infection

The Kerala government has received its first batch of medicine to treat amoebic meningoencephalitis, a rare and deadly disease. This medicine was donated by UAE-based entrepreneur Shamsheer Vayalil. Recently, six cases were detected in the state, with two boys aged 14 and 12 recovering from the infection. However, three children have died in the past two months, and two others are still undergoing treatment in Kozhikode.

Medicine Donation and Treatment Efforts

The medicine, Miltefosine, was imported from Germany and provided free of cost by Dr. Shamsheer Vayalil, founder of VPS Healthcare. Kerala Health Minister Veena George stated, "When the cases were recently reported in Kerala, we consulted with the central government and identified Miltefosine as a crucial drug. However, its availability in India is very limited. Thanks to the support of Dr. Shamsheer Vayalil and VPS Healthcare, this essential medicine has been handed over to the state government."

The first shipment received on Monday included a box of 56 medicines valued at Rs 3.19 lakh. The second batch is expected to arrive soon. The hospital group VPS Healthcare mentioned that this assistance was provided after six confirmed cases of primary amoebic meningoencephalitis (PAM) were detected in Kerala.

Understanding Amoebic Meningoencephalitis

Amoebic meningoencephalitis is an extremely lethal infection of the central nervous system caused by free-living amoebae. This infection is typically contracted from freshwater sources such as lakes, rivers, and streams. The disease has a 97 percent mortality rate, making it highly dangerous.

Only 11 people worldwide have recovered from this disease. On July 22, Health Minister Veena George announced that the first patient in Kerala, a 14-year-old boy, had recovered from the infection.

Miltefosine: A Crucial Drug

Miltefosine was initially developed in the 1980s as an anti-cancer agent but is now recognised as the only oral treatment for leishmaniasis, a disease spread by sandflies. The drug has also shown promise against rare but deadly free-living amoebae infections like PAM and granulomatous amebic encephalitis (GAE). Although its exact mechanism is not fully understood, Miltefosine effectively penetrates the blood-brain barrier and concentrates in brain tissue, making it useful for treating infections like PAM.

Government Actions and Protocols

On May 28, a meeting led by the health minister resulted in the preparation of treatment guidelines under expert leadership. This led to the release of a treatment protocol for amoebic meningoencephalitis on July 20. The state health department claimed this was the first comprehensive treatment protocol for the disease in India.

Earlier reports of this disease were noted in coastal Alappuzha district in 2023 and 2017. On July 5, Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan chaired a special meeting that led to instructions for molecular testing facilities to confirm the disease in its early stages.

The Kerala government's proactive measures and international support aim to combat this rare but deadly infection effectively.