Thiruvananthapuram: Kerala reported one more Shigella-related death and seven fresh cases on Sunday, taking the number of fatalities linked to the infection in the state this month to six, officials said.
According to a statement issued by the office of Health Minister K Muraleedharan, health authorities confirmed that a 54-year-old woman from Mavoor in Kozhikode district, who died on June 20, had been infected with Shigella.
The seven new cases comprise two each from Kozhikode and Thiruvananthapuram, and one each from Thrissur, Malappuram and Wayanad.
With the latest additions, the state has reported 140 Shigella cases and six deaths during June, while the total number of confirmed cases this year has risen to 216, officials said.
The highest number of cases during June has been reported from Kozhikode, Malappuram and Wayanad districts.
According to the Health Department, the district-wise tally of cases reported during June stands at Kozhikode (42), Malappuram (20), Wayanad (19), Thiruvananthapuram (17), Thrissur (12), Kannur (10), Kollam (9), Idukki (3), Palakkad (3), Alappuzha (3) and Ernakulam (2).
Shigella is a highly contagious bacterial infection that primarily affects the intestines and spreads through contaminated food, water or poor hygiene.
The disease commonly causes diarrhoea, fever and stomach cramps and can be particularly dangerous for children, the elderly and those with weakened immunity.
In addition, the Health Department said the Nipah situation in the state remained under control, with no person currently under quarantine showing symptoms of the disease.
No new contacts were added to the Nipah contact list on Sunday, and all samples collected so far from symptomatic contacts have tested negative, officials said.
At present, 104 persons are under observation in connection with the Nipah case, while the infected patient continues to remain on ventilator support at the Government Medical College Hospital, Kozhikode.
Nipah is a zoonotic viral disease caused by the Nipah virus and is known for its high fatality rate.
The infection can spread from animals, particularly fruit bats, to humans and can also be transmitted through close contact with infected persons.
Symptoms range from fever and respiratory illness to severe encephalitis.
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