By Arpitha Ajayakumar

Copyright timesnownews

Kerala is now suffering from a new case called amoebic meningoencephalitis- a rare but often fatal brain infection. According to the Kerala health Minister Veena George, The state has so far reported 69 cases of brain eating amoeba and 19 deaths in the state. Kerala Health Minister Veena George stressed the pressing need for stringent preventive steps against amoebic meningoencephalitis and urged the public to remain cautious about water safety and hygiene. Minister has advised that people must ensure that they do not wash their face or take bath in contaminated water. Minister has also mentioned that amoeba enters the brain through nose and therefore people must be extra vigilant about this. Initially cases were reported from North part of Kerala like Kozhikode, and Malappuram districts but now with a 17 year old boy testing positive for this infection from Thiruvananthapuram- the state capital has also recorded a case. While Kerala is on alert, politics have irrupted over this infection. Opposition UDF has demanded Minister Veena George’s resignation saying the health infrastructure of the state is at worst condition. LoP VD Satheesan said all the diseases in the world are present in Kerala, but the health department is clueless about the actions to be taken. state’s health department is in ventilator he added.