Health officials respond to food borne illness case in Kerala

A case of shigella bacterial infection confirmed in Ernakulam

A fresh case of Shigella infection was reported in Chottanikkara of Ernakulam district of Kerala, leading to steps to curb the spread of the virus. The District Medical Office held an emergency meeting on December 29 to review the situation.

Health Department officials, food safety officials, experts from the medical college and the medical officers of the primary health centre at Chottanikkara also checked the area and collected samples from water sources for testing. 

Shigella species are bacteria that cause a foodborne illness called shigellosis. According to the World Health Organisation, Shigellosis is seen predominantly in developing countries due to poor sanitation and overcrowding. Malnourished children, infants, non breast-fed children, children recovering from measles, and adults older than 50 years have more severe impact on their health and are at greater risk of death. Transmission occurs via person-to-person contact, faecal-oral route, infected water, household flies, and inanimate objects.

According to WHO, on a global scale, of the 165 million Shigella diarrhoeal episodes estimated to occur each year, 99% occur in developing countries, mainly in children.

Health officials say the disease is not deadly and is treatable with antibiotics, however, proper sanitisation methods and public awareness programmes must be thoroughly followed.