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A teenager from southern India has survived a brain-eating amoeba that has claimed three lives in the country. Afnan Jasim, 14, from Kerala, was diagnosed with Primary Amoebic Meningoencephalitis caused by the Naegleria fowleri amoeba, with a high fatality rate. He is among a few survivors worldwide.
After experiencing symptoms post swimming in a local pond, Afnan’s father linked his condition to PAM after reading about it. Prompt treatment from Dr. Rauf saved Afnan. The CDC suggests climate change could be a factor in the rise of such cases.
Dr. Rauf has urged for public health advisories, and the state health minister has imported medicine for treatment. The unique survival of Afnan sheds light on a rare yet deadly disease, emphasizing the importance of early diagnosis and treatment.