Shigella cases ring alarm bells in Thrissur as 10 infections surface in nine days

A cluster of Shigella infections linked to a temple festival has raised alarms in Thrissur district, with 10 cases reported in the first nine days of October. One of the cases involved a seven-month-old child. Seven of the cases were reported in Tholur, where people had attended a temple festival. The suspected source of infection was traced to a well at the temple, used for rituals, from which the water was drawn.

The well has since been chlorinated. District Medical Officer M. Sujatha confirmed that the seven Shigella cases in Tholur were among people who attended a festival at the temple. The well has been treated, and health teams are monitoring the situation closely. Hospitals have been instructed to respond immediately to any further cases.

Awareness campaigns have been conducted in the area, advising people to seek medical attention quickly if symptoms develop. All patients have received treatment, and most have recovered. Three additional Shigella cases were reported in Wadakkanchery, Arimbur, and Adat. The cluster of infections coincides with a broader fever outbreak, with 4,914 people seeking treatment for fever between October 1 and 9.

Dengue cases have been confirmed in various parts of the district, including migrant labor camps. The DMO urged people to maintain strict hygiene, consume clean water, and seek medical care if necessary.