Thiruvananthapuram: Kerala is grappling with a surge in amoebic meningoencephalitis cases, a rare and often fatal brain infection caused by the "brain-eating amoeba" Naegleria fowleri. Kerala Health Minister Veena George on Tuesday said that a total of 80 cases and 21 deaths due to amoebic meningoencephalitis had been recorded in the state. "80 cases reported in the state and 21 deaths. The reason why amoebic meningoencephalitis cases are getting reported in Kerala is quite clear that after 2023, we have insisted on reporting every single encephalitis case and also finding the cause of it. Your water at home is fine, and chlorinated swimming pool water is fine, but unfortunately, not swimming in freshwater," Tharoor said.