Health officials found the amoeba in the well water, suggesting wells, not just ponds, might spread the infection, possibly entering the child’s body during bathing

New Delhi

The National Green Tribunal (NGT) has taken suo motu cognizance of a media report suggesting that well water may be linked to cases of brain-eating amoeba in Kozhikode, Kerala. The rare and deadly infection, Primary Amoebic Meningoencephalitis (PAM), is caused by Naegleria fowleri.

A bench headed by Chairperson Justice Prakash Shrivastava, along with expert members Dr A. Senthil Vel, Sudhir Kumar Chaturvedi, and Dr Sujit Kumar Bajpayee, registered the case following a news article titled Well water could be source of infection for PAM cases: officials. The report noted that three people, including a three-month-old infant and an 11-year-old girl, are receiving treatment, while a nine-year-old child had previously died, and two siblings are showing fever-like symptoms.

Health authorities detected the amoeba in the well water of the infant’s home, raising concerns that well water, besides ponds, could contribute to the spread of the infection. Officials suspect that the organisms may have entered the child’s body during bathing.

The NGT noted that the situation points to possible violations of the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986, and the Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1974. The tribunal has impleaded the Kerala State Pollution Control Board, Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), Directorate of Health Services, Kerala, and the Kozhikode District Collector as respondents, directing them to submit affidavits in response.

The tribunal’s order instructed that respondents may file replies directly or through their advocates, and their presence will assist the NGT. The Southern Zonal Bench in Chennai will next hear the case on October 9. This action highlights the tribunal’s proactive approach in addressing public health risks linked to water contamination.