Why in News?

Kerala has reported several cases of Primary Amoebic Meningoencephalitis (PAM), caused by the "brain-eating amoeba." 

• PAM is a rare, fatal brain infection caused by  Naegleria fowleri amoeba. 
• Enters through nose during swimming in contaminated freshwater, causing brain tissue destruction.  
  • It is not spread via drinking water or person-to-person. 
• Early symptoms– fever, progressing to stiff neck, confusion, seizures, coma, etc. 
  • Mortality >95%, often within 1–5 days. 
• No effective treatment; managed with drugs like amphotericin B, azithromycin, fluconazole, etc.