Shigella reported in Kollam after Wayanad alert; 2 students hospitalised

Kollam (Kerala): The Shigella bacterial outbreak in Kerala has expanded beyond Wayanad, with two student cases now officially confirmed in Kollam district. The Health Department has gone on high alert following fears that the food and water-borne pathogen is progressively making its way across other districts.

Fresh infections in Kollam

The two newly diagnosed students have been admitted to the Government Medical College Hospital in Parippally, where they are currently undergoing specialised treatment. Medical authorities confirmed that both patients are stable, but are being monitored closely to contain any localized transmission. Field officers have initiated contact-tracing and are inspecting water sources in the students' respective residential and school localities.

Ongoing containment in Wayanad

The development in Kollam comes amidst intense containment operations in Wayanad, which remains the epicenter of the current outbreak. The total number of laboratory-confirmed cases in Wayanad stands at eight, all involving young girls.

Health data indicates that 502 individuals have shown symptoms of the infection in the northern district, with 44 patients currently hospitalised. As a precautionary safety measure, the District Educational Officer (DEO) has ordered the temporary closure of 12 high-risk schools in the Sultan Bathery region. Emergency restrictions on public gatherings also remain active across the Nenmeni Panchayat.