Kerala reports four Shigella deaths in June; 146 cases reported this year

Of the five deaths linked to Shigella reported in Kerala this year, four were recorded in June, Health Minister K Muraleedharan said on Tuesday (June 16), as he announced the constitution of a high-powered committee to examine the rise in communicable diseases in the state.

Speaking to reporters after chairing a review meeting, Muraleedharan said one Shigella-related death was reported in March, while the remaining four occurred in June.

Cases surge in June

Elaborating further, the minister said 146 cases of the bacterial infection have been reported in Kerala since January this year, with 70 of them recorded in June alone.

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The Health Minister said that Kozhikode reported the highest number of Shigella cases between January and June at 74, Malappuram recorded 25 cases, including two deaths, while Thiruvananthapuram also reported 25 infections.

No Shigella cases have been reported so far this year from Pathanamthitta, Palakkad and Kasaragod districts, he said.

High-powered panel announced

Muraleedharan said that the panel will comprise representatives from the Health, Animal Husbandry, Food Safety and Local Self-Government Departments, along with doctors from both the government and private sectors.

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It would help the government take precautionary measures in advance by preparing a calendar of communicable diseases that occur during different periods of the year, the minister said.

Communicable diseases surge discussed

Muraleedharan said the increase in communicable diseases was discussed during the review meeting, where it was felt that a dedicated committee was needed to examine the causes and submit its findings to the government.

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He further said the rise in communicable diseases was linked to disruptions in pre-monsoon sanitation and other cleanliness activities due to the local body and Assembly elections.

Muraleedharan said World Health Organisation (WHO) consultant S S Lal will chair the committee.

District monitoring units planned

Apart from the panel, outbreak monitoring units and action committees will be established at the district level to coordinate preventive measures. He also said directions have been issued to take strict action against unhygienic food stalls and eateries, while the quality of mineral water sold in the market will be examined.

Responding to questions regarding the Nipah infection in Kozhikode, the minister said 38 people had been tested and, except for the one person currently undergoing treatment, all others tested negative.

(With agency inputs)