Kerala Shigella Cases Rise to 16 as Seven More Students Test Positive in Wayanad

Wayanad, June 12: Kerala health authorities have confirmed seven additional cases of Shigella infection among students in Wayanad district, taking the total number of infected children to 16.

Officials said all affected students are currently stable, while surveillance and preventive measures have been intensified across the district to contain the spread of the bacterial disease.

District Medical Officer Dr. K.T. Rekha said disease surveillance activities have been strengthened in Wayanad. Awareness campaigns are also being conducted to educate people about prevention and early detection.

According to health officials, all 16 infected children are under observation and their health condition remains satisfactory.

The Health Department has urged parents and residents to remain vigilant. Children showing symptoms have been advised to avoid close contact with others to reduce the risk of transmission.

Officials have also asked people to immediately report any new symptoms to health workers and seek treatment from nearby healthcare facilities. Self-medication has been strongly discouraged.

Dr. Rekha stressed the importance of maintaining personal hygiene, consuming safe food and water, and keeping surroundings clean.

Kerala Health Minister K. Muraleedharan recently stated that new Shigella cases have also been reported from Thiruvananthapuram, Kollam, and Kozhikode districts.

However, he assured the public that the situation remains under control and there is no immediate cause for panic.

The Minister said that as of June 11, around 578 people had shown symptoms associated with the infection, while 55 individuals were admitted to government and private hospitals across the state.

In Wayanad, a majority of the infected students belong to an aided school. Health officials found significant bacterial contamination in the school’s well water during testing.

The contaminated water source is believed to be a key factor behind the outbreak.

As a precautionary measure, district authorities have declared holidays for schools and educational institutions in the affected and nearby areas until June 14.

Shigella is a bacterial infection that primarily affects the digestive system. It commonly causes diarrhoea, fever, stomach pain, and cramps.

The infection spreads through contaminated food, unsafe drinking water, and direct contact with infected individuals. Maintaining proper hygiene and consuming clean food and water are considered the most effective ways to prevent the disease.

This version includes multiple subheadings, shorter sentences, improved readability, and is optimized for SEO and Yoast requirements.