The Kerala government is intensifying hygiene and sanitation efforts, including closing unhygienic roadside eateries, following a fatal case of shigella infection in a 4-year-old and two other positive cases, with 68 people currently undergoing treatment and 163 others having been discharged after improvement. Health Minister K. Muraleedharan emphasized that poor sanitation and contaminated food or water significantly increase the risk of shigella transmission, urging local bodies to implement regular cleaning and proper waste management, while advising the public to drink clean water, maintain hand hygiene, and consume food from hygienic sources to prevent the spread of this bacterial infection which causes diarrhea, fever, and stomach cramps, primarily affecting children under five.

The Kerala government is intensifying hygiene and sanitation efforts, including closing unhygienic roadside eateries, following a fatal case of shigella infection in a 4-year-old and two other positive cases, with 68 people currently undergoing treatment and 163 others having been discharged after improvement. Health Minister K. Muraleedharan emphasized that poor sanitation and contaminated food or water significantly increase the risk of shigella transmission, urging local bodies to implement regular cleaning and proper waste management, while advising the public to drink clean water, maintain hand hygiene, and consume food from hygienic sources to prevent the spread of this bacterial infection which causes diarrhea, fever, and stomach cramps, primarily affecting children under five.

The Kerala government is intensifying hygiene and sanitation efforts, including closing unhygienic roadside eateries, following a fatal case of shigella infection in a 4-year-old and two other positive cases, with 68 people currently undergoing treatment and 163 others having been discharged after improvement. Health Minister K. Muraleedharan emphasized that poor sanitation and contaminated food or water significantly increase the risk of shigella transmission, urging local bodies to implement regular cleaning and proper waste management, while advising the public to drink clean water, maintain hand hygiene, and consume food from hygienic sources to prevent the spread of this bacterial infection which causes diarrhea, fever, and stomach cramps, primarily affecting children under five.

Urging local bodies to strengthen hygiene and sanitation measures, the Kerala government stepped up measures, including a drive to ensure strict cleanliness standards in public places.

Kerala Health Minister K Muraleedharan said poor sanitation and contaminated food or water can increase the risk of disease transmission of shigella infection. He also mentioned that unhygienic roadside eateries (thattukadas) would be shut down.

"Many people, including prominent personalities, eat from street food stalls. But hygiene must be maintained at all times. Safe drinking water and clean food preparation are essential to prevent the spread of infections," he said.

The minister called on panchayats and municipal corporations to carry out regular cleaning activities and ensure proper waste management.

The move comes after a 4-year-old in the district succumbed to the infection and two more tested positive in Sulthan Bathery. According to District Medical Officer K T Rekha, 158 people, including students, teachers and parents with the mild symptoms of the infection, had sought treatment at government and private hospitals. Of them, 68 patients are currently undergoing treatment, including 26 at the Government Medical College and 42 at private hospitals.

Another 163 people were treated, kept under observation and later discharged after their condition improved, Rekha said. It has been reported that no patient has required intensive care treatment so far.

What is Shigella?

According to the Centres for Disease Control and Prevention, Shigella bacteria cause an infection called shigellosis. They are bacteria (germs) that cause diarrhoea, fever and stomach cramps.

The infection spreads mainly through contaminated food, water or contact with infected individuals. Children under age 5 are most likely to get shigella infection.

People are advised to drink clean water, wash their hands regularly and consume food from hygienic sources.

For more information, consult a health expert. 

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