Kerala Shigella Cases Rise To 70 In One Month, Five Deaths Reported

Kerala has reported a sharp rise in Shigella infections, with 70 cases and five related deaths recorded in the past month. The increase has raised concern among health officials, especially as the state continues to monitor recurring infectious disease threats, including Nipah.

According to the latest health update, Kerala has recorded 146 Shigella cases between January and June 2026. Nearly half of these cases were reported in the last month, showing a sudden rise in infections across several districts.

Kozhikode Worst-Affected District

Kozhikode has emerged as the worst-affected district, reporting 22 Shigella cases this month and two deaths. Malappuram recorded nine cases and two deaths, while Thrissur reported four cases and one death.

Thiruvananthapuram also reported nine cases during the month. Other affected districts include Kollam, Alappuzha, Wayanad, Kannur and Idukki. No new cases were reported this month from Pathanamthitta, Kottayam, Ernakulam, Palakkad, and Kasaragod.

Expert Committee Formed

The Kerala government has decided to form a high-level committee to strengthen infectious disease surveillance and outbreak response. The committee will be chaired by Dr S.S. Lal, a consultant with the World Health Organisation.

The move comes at a time when Kerala is facing repeated public health alerts. Officials are focusing on faster testing, district-level monitoring, and early containment to prevent further spread.

Nipah Surveillance Also Continues

The state is also monitoring Nipah virus cases. So far, 38 samples have been tested, with one positive case confirmed. Kerala has witnessed Nipah outbreaks in previous years, making strict surveillance important during any outbreak of an infectious disease.

Symptoms And Prevention

Shigella is a bacterial infection that commonly spreads through contaminated food, unsafe drinking water, and poor hygiene. Common symptoms include diarrhoea, fever, stomach pain, vomiting, and dehydration.

Health officials usually advise people to drink safe water, wash their hands properly, avoid unhygienic food, and seek medical help if symptoms become severe. Children, elderly people, and those with weak immunity may face a higher risk.

Public Health Concern

The rise in Shigella cases has become a serious public health concern for Kerala. With five deaths reported in one month and a child still critical in Kozhikode, authorities are expected to intensify monitoring in schools, local communities, and high-risk areas.

The latest outbreak highlights the need for clean water, food safety checks, and quick medical response. Strong district-level surveillance will be important to control the spread and prevent more deaths.