The Kozhikode-based Centre for Water Resources Development and Management (CWRDM) has got the State government's permission to test water samples to check the presence of free-living amoeba that causes the deadly brain infection, amoebic meningoencephalitis.

The centre, functioning under the Kerala State Council for Science, Technology and Environment, has been allowed to associate with the State Public Health Lab, Thiruvananthapuram, to strengthen the surveillance and monitoring of Naegleria fowleri and other free-living amoeba in natural water bodies and drinking water sources, subject to adherence to applicable regulatory guidelines.

According to sources, the Executive Director, CWRDM, had submitted a proposal seeking association with the Health department to strengthen the surveillance and monitoring of the free-living amoeba in the context of the rise in the number of amoebic meningoencephalitis cases across the State in recent months. It was proposed that the CWRDM has the expertise and laboratory facilities to carry out regular monitoring and analysis of water samples, and also that they operate a Water Analysis Laboratory accredited by the National Accreditation Board for Testing and Calibration Laboratories, where over 7,500 samples are being tested annually using a wide range of sophisticated equipment. In addition, a dedicated National Isotope facility for Hydrology is also functioning on its campus, enabling advanced investigations related to water quality and source tracking. The sources said that the guidelines for the testing procedure were being prepared.