Shigellosis Alert in Kerala: 3-Year-Old Hospitalised, 441 Cases This Year
A three-year-old child from Kottukal in Thiruvananthapuram district has been admitted to SAT Hospital with shigellosis, prompting the Kerala Health Department to renew public health warnings about food and water safety. The case comes amid heightened concern as the state has recorded over 440 confirmed infections and eight deaths this year.
According to officials, the child had travelled with her family to Nagercoil on August 12 and consumed cold drinks from a wayside vendor during the journey. She developed diarrhoea and vomiting the following day and was later hospitalised. The infection was confirmed on Tuesday, and the child is now recovering in a paediatric ward.
In addition, one more case was reported from Vizhinjam in Thiruvananthapuram on the same day. Three other scattered cases were identified in Pazhayannur (Thrissur), Kattipara (Kozhikode), and Noolpuzha (Wayanad). Health officials note that isolated cases are not unusual, as shigellosis occurs sporadically in all districts throughout the year.
Shigellosis, also called bacillary dysentery, is a highly contagious bacterial infection caused by Shigella. The bacteria are typically transmitted through contaminated food or water, as well as via contact with infected surfaces. The disease can range from mild discomfort to severe, life-threatening diarrhoea, especially in vulnerable populations.
Symptoms generally appear within one to two days of exposure and may include fever, diarrhoea, vomiting, nausea, blood in stools, and frequent, painful urges to pass stool. While the infection is usually self-limiting in healthy adults, it can be severe in children under five, the elderly, and those with weakened immunity. The World Health Organization identifies shigellosis as a significant cause of childhood mortality in developing regions.
The Health Department has advised people to consume only boiled or chlorinated water, avoid raw vegetables and cut fruits from outside, and maintain strict hand hygiene. Anyone experiencing persistent diarrhoea should use oral rehydration salts to prevent dehydration and seek medical care if symptoms do not improve.
The recent alert follows a series of major outbreaks in June 2026, when over 225 cases and six deaths were reported from Kozhikode, Malappuram, and Wayanad districts. Official outbreak declarations were made in five districts: Kozhikode (77 cases), Wayanad (27), Malappuram (37), Thrissur (15), and Alappuzha (5). Additional cases were recorded in Thiruvananthapuram (20), Kollam (15), Kannur (14), Palakkad (6), Ernakulam (4), Idukki (3), and Pathanamthitta (1) during June and July.
As of August 18, 2026, the state has reported 441 confirmed cases, 106 probable cases, and eight deaths due to shigellosis. In comparison, only 133 cases and no deaths were recorded across Kerala during the entire previous year, underscoring the unusual severity of this year’s outbreak.
The Health Department has assured the public that it is monitoring the situation closely and will continue to issue updates as needed. Officials urge residents to report any diarrhoeal illness promptly and to follow public health guidelines to prevent further spread.
