85 confirmed cases of shigellosis reported till June in Kerala; preventive measures initiated

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A highly contagious bacterial diarrheal disease called shigellosis (bacillary dysentery), caused by shigella, is now being reported across the state.

While all districts report cases sporadically, in some localities these cases turn into outbreaks affecting more people due to contaminated food/water or poor hygiene practices. Cases are now being reported from Wayanad, Kozhikode, Alappuzha and Malappuram.

Two cases were confirmed on Monday in children at Mar Baselios School in Wayanad, where other children are suspected to have been affected.

As of June 7 this year, 85 confirmed cases and more than 70 probable cases of shigellosis have been reported, according to the Ministry of Health. While shigellosis resolves on its own in healthy adults, it can be fatal for children under the age of five, who are reported to have the highest mortality rate. The elderly and immunocompromised individuals are also highly vulnerable.

Two deaths in children have been reported so far, one in April and the other on June 6, both from Kozhikode. The department warned the public to take care of food and water related hygiene as well as personal hygiene to prevent the spread of shigellosis in the locality.

Shigellosis is highly contagious and is spread through food, water, and surfaces contaminated by infected individuals, as well as by contact during patient care. If hygiene is not scrupulously observed, one infected person can transmit the disease to the whole household through close contact.

Symptoms usually appear within one to two days of infection and include fever, diarrhea, vomiting, nausea, blood in the stool, and painful, frequent urges to use the toilet. The health department also advised people to consume ORS (oral rehydration salts) solution to prevent dehydration and seek immediate treatment. He also advised people that it is extremely important to complete their prescribed medication, including antibiotics

The health advisory said washing hands with soap for 20 seconds – scrubbing between fingers and under nails – before cooking, serving food, eating and after using the toilet is important to prevent the spread of infection.

If there are any individuals affected by shigellosis in the house, their bedding, clothing and utensils in which food is served should be kept separate. Even after symptoms subside, these people should avoid serving food at public gatherings, sharing food, or visiting restaurants for at least two weeks.

Drinking water should be boiled, regardless of the source, and water used for washing vegetables or dishes should be treated with chlorine tablets. It is best to avoid junk food and raw food such as salads and eat clean home cooked food if possible.

Food and beverage establishments should ensure that food handlers have a valid medical certificate and that none of them have an infection. Good hygiene must be maintained in the kitchen and hand washing stations should be provided for staff. Industrial ice should not be used to make juice or other cold drinks.

Health Minister K. Muraleedharan said the food safety department has been asked to strengthen controls and ensure that any food shop or street vendor found to be handling food in unsanitary conditions is issued a closure notice.

Leader of the Opposition Pinarayi Vijayan urged the government to take urgent preventive measures to curb the spread of shigellosis.

In a statement here on Monday, Mr. Vijayan said that cases were reported from different districts, that the situation called for extreme vigilance and that coordinated efforts by the health department and local self-government bodies were required to prevent the spread of the infection.

Published – 08 Jun 2026 20:14 IST