Clean overhead tanks to prevent any brain health scare cases: KMC
The Statesman | 23 September 2025Naegleri fowleri is an amoeba that can cause a serious central nervous system infection. The amoeba is found in warm and still fresh water bodies and enters the human body through the nose.
Kerala, known for its lush green forests and backwaters, has been grappling with a surge in the number of fatalities and infections brought about by the amoeba. The news of the bug hitting “God’s Own Country” has triggered a fair deal of concern among residents in Kolkata.
The amoeba thrives in warm water temperatures. According to health experts, the organism lives in freshwater lakes, hot water springs, poorly chlorinated pools, and other water bodies that witness rapid changes in temperatures. Brain infections are said to be caused by Naegleria fowleri when a person goes swimming or diving in a lake, river, or other fresh water during warmer seasons.
A few infections could also occur when people use tap water that contains Naegleria fowleri to rinse their sinuses or cleanse their nasal passages. Symptoms of the infection include headache, fever, nausea, and vomiting at an early stage which aggravate hallucinations or even loss of balance.
According to the health wing of the KMC, water tanks in several stand-alone houses or even multi-storey residential complexes are often not cleaned for months. This could be dangerous for health amid the prevailing situation. The health department has therefore urged citizens to ensure that overhead tanks are cleaned at regular intervals.
The deputy mayor of KMC pointed out that those using overhead tanks for their daily household needs should clean it at the earliest. It should also be ensured that the cleaning is done scientifically. The practice of cleaning the overhead tanks should be carried out every three months.
