Team News Riveting
Kochi, December 19
While Kerala is combating the COVID-19, another health crises has hit the state’s northern district.
In Kozhikode district’s Kottaparambu village, Shigella infection had created panic among people. What created a sense of fear among the residents was the state government’s alleged failure in containing the COVID-19 pandemic in the state.
The new disease has already taken the life of an 11-year-old boy and has also hit around 25 people who were in close contact with him. The boy died at the Kozhikode Medical College where he was admitted following fever, stomach pain and dysentery.
Over two dozen people who had attended the funeral or had food from his house, have been admitted to various hospitals with similar symptoms of the disease.
Water samples were collected and have been sent for detailed examinations in the lab in order to find out the source of the bacteria. As part of the precautionary measures, all the water bodies in the region were chlorinated on Friday, the health department officials said.
Shigella is bacteria that causes the infection Shigellosis. It is a bacteria that is genetically similar to and was once classified as E-coli, the officials said, adding that the signs and symptoms may range from mild abdominal discomfort to full-blown dysentery characterized by cramps, diarrhea, with slimy-consistent stools, fever, blood, pus, or mucus in stools or Tenesmus.
Onset time is 12 to 96 hours, and recovery takes 5 to 7 days. The most common neurological symptom includes seizures.
The health department had swung into action to contain the spread of disease in other parts of the state.
In 2013, Shigella infections caused an estimated 34,400 deaths in children less than five years old and, in 2010, an estimated 40,000 deaths in persons older than five years globally.
