Thiruvananthapuram: The state reported 10 more cases of Shigella infection on Sunday, taking the total number of cases recorded in June to 190. The latest infections include five cases from Malappuram, four from Kozhikode and one from Wayanad.
According to health department data, six deaths linked to Shigella have been reported in the state in June. A total of 266 cases have been confirmed in Kerala so far this year.
Kozhikode, Malappuram and Wayanad continue to account for the highest number of infections. Outbreaks have been officially declared in four districts — Kozhikode (65 cases), Wayanad (26), Thrissur (13) and Alappuzha (5). Other districts that reported cases during June include Malappuram (30), Thiruvananthapuram (18), Kollam (12), Kannur (11), Ernakulam (4), and Idukki and Palakkad with three cases each.
Health authorities have advised the public to maintain strict personal hygiene, consume safe drinking water and seek immediate medical attention if symptoms such as diarrhoea, fever, abdominal cramps or vomiting develop.
Meanwhile, health minister K. Muraleedharan said the health department is fully prepared to prevent and contain communicable diseases through strengthened surveillance and timely intervention.
Speaking after inaugurating the state-level Pulse Polio immunization programme at the women and children’s hospital, Thycaud, the minister noted that Kerala has remained polio-free for the past 26 years. However, he stressed that sustained vigilance is essential to guard against future risks.
“Although Kerala has not reported a polio case in the last 26 years, preventive measures and immunization must continue without complacency,” the minister said.
Muraleedharan reiterated the govt’s commitment to strengthening the public healthcare system. He said the health department, in coordination with local self-govt institutions, would intensify efforts to keep rivers and canals free of waste, improve sanitation and ensure food safety as part of measures to curb the spread of communicable diseases.
The minister also said the process of securing approval for Thiruvananthapuram’s second govt medical college is progressing and expressed confidence that the institution would receive approval within the current year, significantly enhancing the state’s healthcare and medical education infrastructure.
