Lyme disease reported in Kerala’s Ernakulam

A doctor at a private hospital in Koovapady, Ernakulam district, Kerala, reported a case of Lyme disease caused by Borrelia bacteria. Dr. Jilse George, a Senior Physician at Lisie Hospital, confirmed the disease in a 56-year-old man whose sample tested positive at the National Institute of Virology in Bengaluru.

The patient was admitted to Lisie Hospital on December 6, 2023, with a high fever and a two-week history of pain and swelling in the right knee, along with neck stiffness and superficial ulcers over the scrotum. He also exhibited epileptic symptoms, which led to the diagnosis of Lyme disease.

Following treatment, the patient’s health improved, and he was discharged on December 26. His blood sample was sent to the National Institute of Virology for testing as per the district health department’s guidance.

Lyme disease, caused by Borrelia burgdorferi and transmitted by certain insects, affects the nervous system and can be fatal if not detected early. However, with timely detection, the disease can be cured.