Latest news with #DPH
Daily Mail
5 hours ago
- Health
- Daily Mail
Child dies from brain-eating amoeba after doing favorite summertime activity
A child from South Carolina died of an infection caused by a brain-eating amoeba after visiting a popular local lake to go swimming. No name or age has been released for the young patient, but the South Carolina Department of Public Health (DPH) stated that exposure likely occurred at Lake Murray in Columbia, South Carolina. The child was treated at Prisma Health Children's Hospital but he later died from complications related to a Naegleria fowleri infection. Officials announced that the case was confirmed on July 7. Naegleria fowleri is commonly called a brain-eating amoeba because it causes a brain infection that is typically fatal. Official records show 164 people in the US were infected with the disease between 1962 and 2023, of which only four survived. The child had gone swimming at Lake Murray and he was diagnosed on July 7. The lake was originally constructed to provide hydroelectric power to all of South Carolina and it was once the world's largest man-made reservoir. Today, it draws tens of thousands of visitors with dozens of picturesque beaches and swimming spots, along with fishing and sailing activities. There had been no prior warnings about the lake being contaminated with bacteria or other harmful organisms and health experts say that despite the recent incident, there is not an elevated risk associated with the body of water. The US only suffers a handful of deaths from brain-eating amoebas each year, usually among people swimming in warm water lakes and rivers. Texas is among the states that have suffered the largest burden of brain-eating amoeba cases, with 39 of the 164 cases recorded in the US occurring in the Lone Star state. While Naegleria fowleri infections remain rare, there is concern that they may become more common due to climate change. The single-cell organism, which thrives in warm waters, kills 97 percent of the people it infects as it causes a disease called primary amoebic meningoencephalitis, also known as PAM or amebic meningitis. Initial symptoms include a headache, vomiting and nausea. A person can then suffer cognitive issues and a stiff neck as things progress. It causes severe swelling, and eventually rotting, of the brain and spinal cord. This will almost always eventually lead to death. There are no known effective treatments for PAM. Only several Americans have ever survived after being infected with Naegleria fowleri. This includes Caleb Ziegelbauer from Florida, who was 13 years old at the time he was stricken by the microscopic species. Caleb is now walking somewhat but the damage done to his brain means he needs to communicate with facial expressions and has to use a wheelchair. Officials believe the South Carolina child was infected while swimming in their local lake. The incident is not the first case of a Naegleria fowleri infection in South Carolina and there have also been other deaths linked to to the organism over recent years. In June, a 71-year-old woman from Texas contracted an infection and died from Naegleria fowleri after she rinsed her sinuses with tap water from an RV's water system at a campground. And in 2023, a 16-month-old toddler from Arkansas died after coming into contact with the same one-celled organism at a water playground with fountains and jets. The amoeba, which is 1,200 times smaller than a dime, enters the body through the olfactory nerve which connects the upper nose to the brain. This gives it a short and direct route into the brain. If water containing the amoeba enters the nose, it will likely lead to infection. Ingesting water through the mouth is ok because stomach acid is strong enough to kill the amoeba. The nose is its only route. Once a person's olfactory nerve is exposed, it can take around one to nine days to start experiencing symptoms. They will usually die within five days of symptoms first appearing. 'It's quite rapid, it's very progressive. It literally eats the brain tissue,' Dr Anjan Debnath, a parasitologist at the University of California San Diego, explained. Because of the rare infection, doctors also often misdiagnose symptoms as meningitis - wasting valuable time that could be used to treat the parasite. He describes the infection as taking part in two stages. The first is relatively minor, with the person experiencing a headache and other flu-like symptoms. This means that unless a doctor knows that a person has been swimming in untreated water they may not even suspect the amoeba. Once symptoms reach the second stage, a person will start experiencing severe neurological issues like seizures. A doctor will then likely find out about the infection through a spinal fluid test. America suffers around three cases of the amoeba each year. They will almost always occur over summer, when many families flock to local lakes and ponds for a daytime outing. Dr Debnath still advises against swimming in untreated water over summer, especially in places like Florida and Texas where temperatures get exceptionally high. Because the amoeba only resides in fresh water, swimming in the ocean is generally safe. If families do choose to visit a freshwater beach, anyone entering the water should wear a nose clip to prevent water from entering their nose. Dr Debnath also recommends against kicking up dirt or sand from the bottom of the lake as warmer areas deep down are where the microscopic beings usually lie. What is Naegleria fowleri? Naegleria fowleri is an amoeba that 'literally eats the brain tissue,' according to Dr Anjan Debnath, a parasitic disease expert at the University of California, San Diego. It thrives in warm climates in freshwater including hot springs and lakes. Improper water treatment in pools, private ponds and even tap water can lead to deadly exposure to the amoeba as well. The amoeba travels up the nose where it has a direct route to the brain. Once a person's olfactory nerve in the nose is exposed, symptoms typically come on within one to nine days. Those who are infected will usually die within five days of symptoms first appearing. Early stage symptoms resemble those of the flu.
New Indian Express
7 days ago
- Health
- New Indian Express
Doctors flay pact for integrative healthcare, say it is ‘mixopathy'
CHENNAI: The doctors association has condemned the Directorate of Public Health and Preventive Medicine (DPH) for signing an MoU with the Commissionerate of Indian Medicine and Homeopathy and the National Institute of Siddha for jointly promoting integrative healthcare. The association alleged the state is acting in the interest of the Union government whose aim is to achieve 'One Nation-One Health system' by 2030. The director of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Dr TS Selvavinayagam, in a release said the state aims to provide affordable and culturally rooted healthcare options to its people by integrating validated Siddha practices into the public health system. The initiative aims to bridge and strengthen the modern medicine with the rich heritage of the Indian System of Medicine. The partnership reflects the government's vision of promoting holistic, inclusive and accessible healthcare, he said. Dr GR Ravindranath, general secretary, the Doctors' Association for Social Equality (DASE), in his statement said DPH's attempt to implement the union government's integrated medical system is condemnable. It will ruin people's access to quality medical treatment, he said. 'The centre is imposing an integrated medical system through the National Medical Commission, NITI Aayog, National Health Policy 2017, National Education Policy 2020, National Health Commission, and the Union Public Health Department. As part of this, the centre is trying to launch a new integrated medical course at JIPMER, Puducherry, by combining the modern medical course MBBS with Ayurvedic course BAMS.' he said. Dr A Ramalingam, secretary, Service Doctors and Post Graduates Association, termed the move 'Mixopathy', and claimed it will lead to gradual decrease in standards of all systems of medicine. The state health department is committing a historic blunder by taking the regressive step, he said.
The Hindu
17-07-2025
- Health
- The Hindu
Move to integrate Siddha practices into T.N.'s public health system draws flak from doctors
Doctors are fuming over a decision to integrate Siddha practices into the State's public health system. Condemning the Directorate of Public Health (DPH) and Preventive Medicine for entering into a pact to promote integrative healthcare, doctors' associations have called it a regressive step to promote 'mixopathy' and 'pseudo-scientific' practices. The Directorate of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, the Commissionerate of Indian Medicine and Homoeopathy, and the National Institute of Siddha, Chennai, have formalised a collaboration through a memorandum of understanding to jointly promote integrative healthcare. According to an official communication issued by T.S. Selvavinayagam, Director of Public Health, the initiative aims to bridge the strengths of modern medicine with the rich heritage of the Indian System of Medicine. The partnership reflects the government's vision of promoting holistic, inclusive and accessible healthcare, it said. 'By integrating validated Siddha practices into the public health system, the State aims to provide affordable and culturally rooted healthcare options to its people. The initiative represents a progressive step toward a healthcare model that values tradition and science alike - delivering better outcomes through collaboration and innovation,' it added. P. Saminathan, president of Service Doctors and Post Graduates Association, in the statement, said this 'unscientific decision' of the DPH, which in principle itself amounted to mixopathy, would lead to a gradual decrease in standards of all systems of medicine — modern medicine, Siddha, Ayurveda, Unani, and homoeopathy. He said the Health Department was 'committing a historic blunder by taking this regressive step.' 'Let science be science. Each system of science will develop if research is done, instead of bringing in mixopathy in thè name of integrating them. It will also lead to gradual demise of a system of medicine,' he said. The SDPGA sought the intervention of Chief Minister M.K. Stalin to stop this decision. G.R. Ravindranath, general secretary, Doctors' Association for Social Equality, charged the Health Department of buckling under pressure from the Union government. 'By integrating Siddha and homoeopathy with modern medicine, the State's Public Health Directorate is implementing the Union government's push for integrated medicine. This is highly condemnable,' he said. 'Is the Tamil Nadu government going to promote pseudo-scientific practices? There is no scientific basis for integrated medicine, and this will go against the welfare of people' he said. A senior government doctor said traditional medicine — an ancient system — does not have the solutions for new age diseases. 'Among the top 10 mortality contributors in Tamil Nadu are diabetes, hypertension, myocardial infarctions, stroke, tuberculosis, and chronic kidney diseases. According to the Sustainable Development Goals, premature mortality due to non-communicable diseases should be reduced by 2030. But none of the Indian systems of medicine have solutions to manage these diseases. Then, what is the role of integrative medicine in reducing mortality and disability?' he asked.
New Indian Express
11-07-2025
- Health
- New Indian Express
No Nipah virus case in Tamil Nadu, districts bordering Kerala on alert
CHENNAI: In the aftermath of Nipah virus cases being reported in Palakkad and Malappuram districts of Kerala, the Directorate of Public Health and Preventive Medicine stated that Tamil Nadu residents need not panic as the state is actively taking all precautionary measures to prevent the spread of the virus. Medical teams in districts bordering Kerala are on standby to detect and respond to suspected cases, the DPH said in a release. No such case has been reported in Tamil Nadu so far as per the release, which further advised the public to remain calm, vigilant and follow basic safety measures. The state is taking all precautionary measures and is closely monitoring the spread of the virus, it added. Public should watch out for symptoms like fever, headache, vomiting, confusion, insomnia, shortness of breath or fainting and seizures. If anyone develops such symptoms, especially after travelling to affected areas in Kerala or after coming into contact with a sick person, they are advised to immediately visit the nearest hospital, the release said. Public has also been advised to avoid eating unwashed or fallen fruit, wash all fruit thoroughly before eating and wash hands with soap. The DPH has instructed the district health officers to monitor the preventive measures closely. Nipah virus is a zoonotic disease that is transmitted to humans from animals such as fruit bats and pigs. The disease is transmitted by eating fruits contaminated with bat saliva.
The Hindu
10-07-2025
- Health
- The Hindu
Watch out for symptoms of Nipah virus infection, no need to panic, says Directorate of Public Health
In the wake of Nipah virus infections surfacing in Kerala, the Directorate of Public Health (DPH) and Preventive Medicine has advised people to watch for symptoms. In particular, if anyone develops symptoms after travelling to affected areas in Kerala or after coming into contact with an infected person, they should visit the nearest government hospital immediately. People should be aware of symptoms such as fever, headache, vomiting, confusion, sleeplessness, shortness of breath or dizziness, and seizures, it said. With cases of Nipah virus infections reported in Palakkad and Mallapuram districts, the State government was monitoring the situation and taking all precautionary measures. Though no case was recorded in the State, the public are advised not to panic, stay alert, and take basic precautionary measures, the DPH said in a statement issued on Thursday. Nipah virus infection is a zoonotic illness and is transmitted to humans through fruit bats. The disease can be spread by eating fruits bitten or licked by bats or through direct contact with an infected person. People should avoid eating fruits that are not washed properly or those that have fallen from trees. They should wash their hands with soap regularly, the statement said. District Health Officers were told to closely monitor disease prevention measures, particularly in districts adjoining Kerala, and all required precautionary measures should be taken. Medical teams in such districts should be prepared to identify suspected cases early and take measures.
