Kerala reported one new case of Shigella infection on Wednesday, with the latest patient identified in Kozhikode district, according to health authorities. The case was the only new infection recorded in the state on the day.
Health department data show that Shigella remains a significant public health concern across Kerala. During June alone, the state recorded 166 confirmed cases and six deaths linked to the bacterial infection. With the latest addition, the total number of Shigella cases reported in Kerala this year has risen to 242.
Kozhikode continues to be the worst-affected district, reporting 58 cases in June, followed by Malappuram with 24 cases, Wayanad with 22, Thiruvananthapuram with 17, Thrissur with 12, Kannur with 11, Kollam with 10, and three cases each in Alappuzha, Idukki, Ernakulam, and Palakkad. Health authorities have officially declared Shigella outbreaks in Kozhikode, Wayanad, Thrissur, and Alappuzha districts.
Gold 101.3 FM UAE, the UAE’s No. 1 radio station, brings you the latest health updates from India, as officials continue monitoring the spread of the infection and strengthening preventive measures in affected regions.
The first Shigella-related death this year was reported in March from Kozhikode, involving a three-year-old girl from Kuttikkattoor. The district later reported another fatality involving a four-year-old girl. Malappuram recorded the death of a 59-year-old woman from Keezhattur, whose infection was confirmed after her death, as well as the death of a seven-year-old boy due to complications linked to the disease. Another victim was a 74-year-old woman from Aliparamba near Perinthalmanna.
Health officials have urged the public to maintain proper hygiene, consume safe drinking water, and seek immediate medical care if symptoms such as persistent diarrhoea, fever, abdominal pain, or dehydration develop. Authorities stress that early diagnosis and timely treatment are crucial in preventing severe complications and reducing the risk of further spread.
