339 report shigellosis symptoms in Keralam’s Wayanad, two positive tests: What is this disease? How serious can it be? | Today’s news
About 339 people in Kerala have reported symptoms of a highly contagious bacterial intestinal infection called Shigellosis, caused by the genus Shigella.
Among them, two – a four-and-a-half-year-old boy and a five-year-old girl – have tested positive for the disease, ANI reported citing state health officials.
Among those hospitalized, 21 people are being treated at Sultan Bathery Taluk Headquarters Hospital while 38 others are being treated at private hospitals.
What is shigellosis? How is this caused?
Shigella bacteria cause shigellosis, an infection affecting the intestines and generally resulting in diarrhea and fever. While the infection is usually mild and resolves on its own, it can lead to serious complications in patients with co-morbidities.
The bacteria enter the human body through stale food or contaminated water and can affect the epithelial lining of the colon, leading to cell inflammation.
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K Muraleedharan, Minister of State for Health, while talking about the government’s efforts to prevent the spread of shigellosis, said on Sunday that the authorities are carrying out inspections to ensure food safety in schools as well as food outlets.
He also said that the bacteria is spread through food and water and informed that hotels have been instructed to provide both boiled and chlorinated water to their customers. He also warned that unhygienic food stalls would be closed.
4-year-old girl infected with Shigella dies in Kozhikode
A four-year-old girl, who was undergoing treatment at Kozhikode Medical College after a Shigella infection, died last Saturday. She was admitted on Tuesday, June 3, and doctors confirmed the presence of the Shigella bacteria on Friday.
Addressing a press conference, Muraleedharan confirmed the news and said, “A 4-year-old child in Kozhikode died of Shigella, a bacterial infection. The child was treated at Kozhikode Medical College Hospital. Two schools in Wayanad – specifically Kolliyadi Mar Baselios Higher School in Sulthan Bathery suffered from diarrhea and vomited from around Sulthan Bathery. The child was treated at Kozhikode Medical College Hospital. So far, the preliminary report suggests that it is not Shigella-related, but samples are being tested for confirmation,” he said. NOR.
“Apart from Shigella, the Kerala government is also monitoring other diseases like Ebola. Travelers from countries where Ebola has been reported are being screened at the airports,” he also said.
He said earlier that one person who had recently arrived from Uganda had been quarantined as a precaution. He also mentioned that four medical colleges have been set up with isolation wards to handle any suspected cases.
“The person who came from Uganda is under quarantine. We have arranged four medical colleges for people coming from different places. We have given instructions and isolation wards are also set up. Ebola has not been reported anywhere in India, there are only suspected cases. It is mainly spreading in Australia and Uganda. So we have to be vigilant,” the minister told ANI.
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Who is at higher risk?
Young children under five, people with weakened immune systems, older adults and immunocompromised individuals are susceptible to severe symptoms and complications of the disease, according to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and Doctors Without Borders.
However, most people with shigellosis tend to recover completely.
