Shigella scare in Thrissur as 37 students symptomatic, 1 positive

A girl student at the Thrissur Government Engineering College has tested positive for Shigella bacteria and at least 37 others have developed symptoms, triggering a scare in the Kerala district.

Health authorities have however said that there was no need to panic. The girl student has been kept isolated in the hostel. They have taken samples from two other students for testing.

More tests were not required at this stage, district medical officer Dr NK Kuttapan said, disclosing that students too were reluctant to get tested.

Shigella infection, also called Shigellosis, is caused by shigella bacteria which affects the digestive system.

Also read: What led to girl’s death after eating shawarma in Kerala? Report is out

The bacteria from contaminated water and food releases toxins that affect the intestines and causes diarrhoea symptoms, which may contain watery or bloody mucus or pus and could also cause vomiting and fever.

Usually mild infections can go away within a couple of days and may not require medical treatment but serious cases would need professional care as the bacteria can affect the immune system and will need antibiotics.

Earlier this month, a 16-year-old girl had died of Shigella bacteria in Kerala’s Kasaragod district. She had contracted the bacteria after eating a contaminated shawarma from an eatery in the district.