Kozhikode: Health authorities in Kerala have intensified preventive measures in Kozhikode and Malappuram districts following confirmed cases of Shigella infection, with inspections, sanitation drives, and public awareness campaigns underway to contain the spread.
Cases have been reported among people who consumed food from eateries in Nilambur in Malappuram district and schoolchildren in Vadakara in Kozhikode district.
In Malappuram, three people contracted the infection after consuming food from hotels in Nilambur. A four-year-old girl tested positive after eating Alfaham purchased from a shop in Amarambalam, while two others were infected after consuming Mandi from an eatery in Palunda. The girl’s mother is also receiving treatment at a hospital.
Meanwhile, 23 people in the affected area have reported symptoms, including diarrhea, vomiting, and abdominal pain, and are currently undergoing treatment at hospitals.
Following the reports, panchayat and health department officials inspected two shops suspected of being linked to the infections. Unlicensed eateries were shut down, while notices were issued to other establishments found operating under unhygienic conditions. Authorities have also arranged chlorination of water sources in houses across the affected areas.
In the Kozhikode district, Shigella infection was confirmed among schoolchildren in Vadakara after several students developed health problems following a midday meal served at their school on October 30. The children were taken to Vadakara District Hospital with symptoms including diarrhea, vomiting, and fever.
Three students tested positive for Shigella in the initial tests conducted on collected samples, with one child subsequently recovering. Two additional children were confirmed positive through tests at a private laboratory.
The health department has collected food and water samples from the school and sent them for laboratory examination to identify the possible source of infection.
Preventive measures have also been extended to areas surrounding the school. A team led by the District Medical Officer visited the institution and oversaw chlorination work in 290 houses in nearby areas. Oral Rehydration Salts (ORS) packets were distributed to 360 households.
What Is Shigella Infection?
Shigellosis is an intestinal infection caused by Shigella bacteria and is highly contagious. The infection primarily causes diarrhea, which can become bloody in severe cases. Other symptoms include nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, and a feeling of incomplete bowel evacuation.
Dehydration is one of the major complications associated with the infection and can become life-threatening if not treated promptly. Children below the age of five are particularly vulnerable to severe illness.
Shigella spreads through the consumption of food or water contaminated with infected human feces. Poor sanitation, unhygienic food handling practices, and contamination by flies can also contribute to its transmission. Even a small number of Shigella bacteria can cause infection.
Health authorities have urged the public to follow proper food hygiene practices, consume safe drinking water, and wash their hands regularly. People experiencing symptoms such as diarrhea and vomiting have been advised to seek immediate medical attention.
