Shigella Outbreak: Kerala reports one more death, 12 new cases

Thiruvananthapuram: Kerala reported one more death linked to Shigella infection on Wednesday, taking the total number of fatalities from the disease to six, according to Health Department data. The Department also confirmed 12 new cases of the infection across the state.

The latest victim was a 75-year-old woman from Malappuram, official sources said.

Shigella is a bacterial infection that causes diarrhoea, fever and stomach cramps. It spreads mainly through contaminated food or water and through contact with infected persons.

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According to the PTI report, of the 12 new cases, one involved a 62-year-old woman from Koothuparamba in Kannur district, who tested positive for the infection.

The disease was confirmed following tests conducted at a private hospital after she developed symptoms including diarrhoea and passage of blood and mucus in her stools.

Health authorities are investigating the source of the infection, the department said.

Meanwhile, one more person on the Nipah virus contact list, who was under observation at Kozhikode Medical College Hospital, was discharged after symptoms subsided.

With this, five of the nine persons admitted to the hospital from among those on the contact list have been discharged, while four remain under observation, officials said.

In view of increasing disease cases, Health Minister K Muraleedharan directed health workers and the public to wear masks while visiting hospitals and during episodes of fever.

He also called for intensified disease-prevention measures in schools.

Medical Dialogues had earlier reported that two more deaths due to Shigella infection were reported in Kerala on Monday, taking the state's total death toll from the disease to five, health department officials said. According to officials, the deceased, a seven-year-old boy, Arjav, from Pookkottur in Malappuram district, died on Monday while undergoing treatment at the Kozhikode Government Medical College Hospital.

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