By Teddy Cambosa

After a suspected Shigella outbreak that claimed the life of an 11-year old child in the city of Kozhikode, Kerala health prime minister KK Shailaja has stated that the aforementioned outbreak has been ‘under control’ by health authorities.

shigellosis
Image/CDC

“An 11-year-old child died last week in Kozhikode. After that tests have been done for about fifty suspected cases and six have been infected. Now, only two are in the hospital while others have been discharged,” she said.

She further added that the Shigella bacteria is prevalent in densely populated areas, through contaminated water.

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“Shigella bacterial infection which spreads through contaminated water was reported in rural parts of Kozhikode last year as well. This year, the infection has been reported in the corporation limit, Mayanad, and Kottamparamba areas. The health department has conducted an awareness campaign and set up medical camps. Wells in the area were chlorinated,” Shailaja commented, while stressing health authority directives that people should first boil their water before consuming.

Teddy Cambosa is a graduating BS Biology student and a former campus journalist at Batangas State University. He is also currently writing for MARKETECH APAC, a small APAC-focused marketing news site.