Ernakulam on alert following rise in shigellosis cases in State

With several cases of shigellosis being reported from different parts of the State, medical experts have urged the public to strictly follow hygiene practices to prevent an outbreak in Ernakulam.

District Medical Officer Dr. R. Shahirsha said that while no cases had been reported recently in the district, the threat remains and stressed the need to follow food safety precautions and maintain personal hygiene.

“Food safety inspections will be carried out in eateries to ensure compliance with safety standards, and alerts have been issued urging people to exercise caution while consuming food and water from outside. We need to ensure that wayside shacks and eateries comply with food safety norms. Inspections will be held regularly,” said Dr. Shahirsha.

Public urged to maintain personal hygiene and consume food and water from reliable sources only.

Dr. Reshmi Ramachandran, Associate Professor of Community Medicine, Government Medical College, Ernakulam, said the bacterial infection, which spreads easily through the faecal-oral route, could be prevented by following good personal hygiene. “The infection spreads easily through contaminated food and water. Always ensure that water is consumed only after it has reached a rolling boil and that food safety norms are adhered to. Food should be hot and freshly prepared, and items such as salads and cut fruits should be avoided. The Food Safety department needs to take measures to ensure that hygiene standards are maintained,” added Dr. Ramachandran.

Dr. Rajeev Jayadevan, convener, Research Cell of the Kerala State IMA, said that rather than relying solely on annual outbreak-containment measures, the long-term focus should be on improving drinking water standards and addressing the root causes of such outbreaks. This would ensure access to clean and safe drinking water across the State through the public distribution network and other channels, while also securing adequate sewage disposal mechanisms to eliminate the risk of faecal contamination of drinking water sources.

“Shigellosis is a bacterial illness that can spread from person to person. The presence of as few as 10 bacteria is enough to infect an individual. It has the uncanny ability to bypass the stomach’s protective acid barrier. Further, it spreads in places where large numbers of people congregate, such as schools, anganwadis and canteens, including through shared meals.”

“The public health system should be upgraded and sanitation standards enhanced to build a sustainable defence against these recurring seasonal risks,” suggested Dr. Jayadevan.