Overview

• Health Minister Veena George told the assembly this year’s cases are isolated rather than linked to a common water source, contrasting with cluster-linked incidents in 2024.
• State data reported this week put the 2025 tally at roughly 69–72 cases with 19 fatalities, with several outlets noting nine deaths in September.
• The government says broader surveillance and reclassification of encephalitis under new PAM guidelines are driving higher detection, not an epidemic surge.
• All districts now have microbiology capacity for PAM testing, and authorities have rolled out treatment protocols, environmental sampling, chlorination drives, signage, and public awareness campaigns.
• Infections occur when warm freshwater enters the nose, not from drinking water, and Kerala cites an observed fatality near 24% versus roughly 97% globally, attributing the difference to earlier diagnosis and care.