Kerala on June 22 reported 10 fresh Shigella infections, taking the total number of cases recorded in the state this year to 226. State Health Minister K Muraleedharan said the recent Nipah virus situation had been effectively contained, while authorities continued to maintain heightened vigilance against Ebola.
Of the latest Shigella cases, Kozhikode accounted for seven infections, while Wayanad, Ernakulam and Malappuram reported one case each. The minister said that 150 Shigella cases and six deaths have been recorded across the state in June alone.
Outbreaks of Shigella have been declared in Kozhikode, Wayanad, Thrissur and Alappuzha districts. Cases have also been reported from Malappuram, Thiruvananthapuram, Kannur, Kollam, Idukki, Ernakulam and Palakkad.
On the Nipah front, Muraleedharan said Kerala’s disease-control measures in Kozhikode had successfully prevented further transmission of the virus beyond the confirmed patient.
Health officials traced the patient’s movements, identified potential exposures linked to hospitals, workplaces and other locations visited by the patient, and closely monitored all contacts. Samples collected from 15 symptomatic contacts have tested negative for Nipah.
A total of 104 individuals remain under observation, including four classified as very high risk, 14 as high risk and 86 as low risk. No new contacts have been added to the list, and no fresh admissions for observation have been reported.
The infected patient continues to remain on ventilator support at Kozhikode Medical College.
