Shigella infection confirmed in Keralam’s Malappuram
Shigella is a bacterial infection that causes diarrhoeal diseases and predominantly affects children
PTI
MALAPPURAM, 12 NOV
The Keralam Health Department has stepped up surveillance and preventive measures in Malappuram district after Shigella infections were confirmed in three areas.
The district has reported 75 Shigella cases this year, including eight contact cases, District Medical Officer (DMO) Dr V Vinod said.
The latest infections have been reported from Areekode, Pulpatta and Edavanna, prompting the district-level Rapid Response Team (RRT) to convene an emergency meeting to assess the situation and strengthen containment measures.
Shigella is a bacterial infection that causes diarrhoeal diseases and predominantly affects children. It spreads mainly through contaminated water and food that is stale or inadequately cooked.
Contact with the faeces of infected persons, either directly or indirectly, can also lead to transmission, the DMO said.
Symptoms usually develop within one or two days of infection and include diarrhoea, blood and pus in stools, severe abdominal pain, fever, vomiting and dehydration.
Even infected children who do not show symptoms can transmit the bacteria through their stools, the DMO said, warning that delayed treatment could result in complications affecting the brain and kidneys and, in severe cases, death.
The Health Department, Local Self-Government Department and Food Safety wing will jointly inspect food manufacturing, storage and distribution centres.
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