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India's Kerala state is undergoing a shigella outbreak that has affected schoolchildren across multiple districts, prompting intensified surveillance by health authorities.
A four-year-old girl from Kozhikode district died due to the infection, the state's first reported fatality linked to Shigella.
According to Manorama News, more than 800 households and 26 educational institutions in Wayanad and Kozhikode are under monitoring by health officials as cases continue to emerge.
Officials stressed that there is a high risk of contact-based transmission associated with shigella infections and emphasised that frequent handwashing with soap remains the most effective preventive measure.
Hospitals reported 68 inpatients and 443 total treatments since the outbreak began.
A large-scale cleaning drive has been announced by the state, including chlorination of wells and disinfection of water sources in schools.
Common symptoms of shigellosis include diarrhoea, fever, abdominal pain, vomiting, fatigue, and, in severe cases, blood in the stool.
Health authorities warned that the infection can spread rapidly through contaminated water, food, and poor sanitation.
Health officials have also urged parents to seek immediate medical attention if children develop symptoms, emphasising that early diagnosis and treatment can help prevent serious complications.
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