7 more Shigella cases confirmed in Wayanad; prevention measures intensified

Wayanad: Seven more people have been diagnosed with Shigella infection in Wayanad, taking the total number of confirmed cases in the district to 16, health authorities said on Friday.District medical officer (health) Dr K T Rekha said disease surveillance, preventive measures and awareness activities have been intensified across the district and added that all 16 affected children are in satisfactory condition.On Thursday, as part of field-level surveillance, health workers visited 2,227 houses and chlorinated 1,330 wells. A total of 938 ORS packets have been distributed. Authorities said microphone announcements, awareness classes, disease surveillance and chlorination activities are being carried out across the district, including in areas where cases have been reported, and will continue in the coming days.The health department has directed all private hospitals and clinics in the district to inform the district surveillance unit if patients with symptoms suggestive of Shigella infection are detected. Medical shops have also been instructed not to dispense medicines without a doctor’s prescription to people showing symptoms and to report such cases to the nearest govt health centre.Health officials advised that children showing symptoms should minimize contact with others to prevent the spread of infection. People experiencing symptoms have been urged to inform health workers and seek treatment at nearby health centres. The public has also been asked to strictly follow the health department’s guidelines, maintain personal, food and environmental hygiene, and avoid self-medication.