Wayanad school reports 7 more Shigella cases; total at 16
Health dept. ramps up infectious disease surveillance, and preventive and control awareness in hill district, advises public to follow precautionary and preventive instructions
Seven more cases of Shigella infection have been confirmed among students of a school in Kerala's Wayanad district, health officials said on Friday (June 12). This takes the total number of infections in children to 16.
District Medical Officer (DMO) Dr KT Rekha, in a statement, said that infectious disease surveillance and preventive and control awareness activities have been strengthened in Wayanad.
Also read: 8 schoolkids in Wayanad hit by Shigella infection; govt says situation under control
She also said that the health condition of all 16 children who have been confirmed to be infected was currently satisfactory.
She advised that children with symptoms should minimise contact with others, and necessary precautions should be taken to prevent the spread of the disease from children to others and adults.
Follow preventive measures: health dept
If any new symptoms appear, health workers should be informed immediately, and treatment should be sought at the nearest health centres, the DMO said and advised not to self-medicate.
Rekha also informed that the public should strictly follow the precautionary and preventive instructions issued by the Health Department.
She cautioned the public to observe personal hygiene and ensure the cleanliness of the surroundings and food materials.
On Thursday, Kerala Health Minister K Muraleedharan had said that new cases of Shigella were reported from Thiruvananthapuram, Kollam and Kozhikode districts too, but assured there was no need to be concerned currently.
Also read: Shigella scare in Thrissur as 37 students symptomatic, 1 positive
578 people symptomatic, 11 admitted
Till June 11, as many as 578 people were symptomatic and 55 have been admitted to various government and private hospitals in the state, the minister said.
In Wayanad, where a large majority of those infected are students of an aided school, the minister said strong bacterial presence was found in the institution's well water and termed it contaminated.
The district collector, on Wednesday, had declared a holiday for all schools and educational institutions in the Shigella-affected and adjoining areas until June 14.
Shigella is a bacterial infection that causes diarrhoea, fever, and stomach cramps. It spreads primarily through contaminated food or water and through contact with infected individuals.
(With inputs from agencies)