THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The government has intensified surveillance and preventive measures after a four-year-old boy died due to shigella infection in Kozhikode, marking the first reported death due to the disease in the state, Kerala Health Minister K Muraleedharan said on Sunday.
Addressing a press conference here, the minister said that three children were admitted to the Kozhikode Medical College Hospital with the infection.
While two recovered and were discharged from the hospital, a four-year-old girl, Neela from Thalakulathur, succumbed to the disease on Saturday.
Shigella is a bacterial infection that primarily affects the intestines and causes symptoms such as diarrhea, fever and abdominal pain, Muralidharan said.
“The disease spreads mainly through contaminated food and water. Strict hygiene practices are necessary to prevent its spread,” he added.
About 123 cases were reported in Alappuzha and Pathanamthitta districts last week, he said.
Amid concerns over reports of gastrointestinal ailments among students in Wayanad, the minister said preliminary investigations indicate that the cases are not linked to shigella.
It was reported that around 164 students from educational institutions in Sultan Bathery area showed symptoms including vomiting and diarrhoea.
He added that a medical team from Kozhikode Medical College was sent to the area on Saturday evening, and samples were collected for detailed examination.
“Initial reports indicate that the cases are not related to shigella, but more tests are being conducted and the final report is awaited,” Muraleedharan said.
He added that water samples from a well and a well in the institutions are also being examined.
As part of preventive measures, the Ministry of Health directed the Food Safety Department to intensify inspections throughout the state.
Hotels and restaurants have been instructed to strictly adhere to hygiene standards and ensure the provision of safe drinking water to customers.
Muralidharan said chlorination of water sources should be done without fail, despite complaints from some people about the taste or smell of chlorine.
He warned that failure to maintain water quality and sanitation standards could lead to a wider spread of diseases.
The Minister also expressed concern over reports that ice used to preserve fish is being reused for drinking water and food-related purposes in some establishments.
He added: “Such practices will not be tolerated.”
Muraleedharan warned of strict action against unhygienic food outlets, including roadside eateries operating in unhygienic conditions, and said the government would not allow establishments that pose a risk to public health to continue their operations.
He added that local self-government institutions should take proactive steps to ensure that hygiene standards are maintained in restaurants and eating places.
“I will write to all the departments concerned in this regard. Only boiled water should be served in hotels. The Food Safety Department has been directed to inspect this aspect as well,” he said.
Symptoms similar to shigella infection have been reported in several parts of Kozhikode district, Muraleedharan said.
“With a death reported, people should remain more vigilant,” he added.
The minister also denied reports alleging plans to privatize the health sector, describing them as false.
“If all government hospitals are privatized, will I be able to continue in this position? Can the government work this way?” he asked.
He said his recent statements on using CSR funds from private companies to build and maintain government hospitals have been misinterpreted.
Muraleedharan also rejected reports regarding the proposed health insurance scheme named after former chief minister Oommen Chandy.
He said, “Some reports claimed that the scheme would be implemented through private hospitals, and this is also not true, and we have not yet discussed the implementation of such a scheme.”
The minister said that government hospitals must be able to compete with private healthcare facilities in terms of quality and standards.
He said, “My party appointed me to this position not to privatize the sector.”
He added that an alert had been issued to all airports and medical colleges in the state after reports of Ebola cases abroad.
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