Thiruvananthapuram: Leader of Opposition in Kerala, Pinarayi Vijayan, on Monday called for war-footing measures to prevent the spread of Shigellosis in the state.
He said that extreme vigilance is required as cases are being reported from various districts. Vijayan urged the Health Department and local self-government institutions to jointly implement comprehensive preventive measures. He also called on the government to urgently ensure the quality of drinking water sources and intensify sanitation activities, while appealing to the public to fully cooperate with health authorities.
Vijayan said both government agencies and the public should take precautionary measures, considering the possibility of further spread. He noted that Shigella bacteria are primarily transmitted through contaminated water and food. Common symptoms include diarrhoea, fever, abdominal pain and vomiting. As children are particularly vulnerable to the infection, he stressed the need for special attention.
He urged people experiencing symptoms to seek medical assistance from the nearest health centre without delay.
The Opposition leader further said that the Health Department and the government should strengthen preventive measures to contain the outbreak and ensure adequate facilities in hospitals. He added that the disease can be effectively controlled through preventive precautions and scientific treatment.
Meanwhile, two students from a school in Kerala’s Wayanad district have tested positive for Shigellosis, a highly contagious bacterial intestinal infection caused by the Shigella genus, health officials said. The confirmed cases involve a four-and-a-half-year-old boy and a five-year-old girl.
According to health authorities, a total of 339 people have reported symptoms associated with the infection. Of these, 21 are undergoing treatment at the Sultan Bathery Taluk Headquarters Hospital, while 38 others are receiving treatment at private hospitals. Officials said none of the patients is currently in serious condition.
A total of 21 samples were sent for laboratory testing. So far, two samples have tested positive, while the results of the remaining 19 samples are awaited.
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