Shigellosis has surfaced again in Keralam, with a three-year-old child from Kottukal in Thiruvananthapuram district admitted to SAT Hospital with the infection.
Health officials point out that cases of shigellosis are reported sporadically throughout the year from all districts in Keralam, with some cases triggering small local outbreaks. One more case of shigellosis was also reported from Vizhinjam in Thiruvananthapuram on Tuesday; and three scattered cases from Pazhayannur in Thrissur; Kattipara in Kozhikode and Noolpuzha in Wayanad. Following this, health officials have renewed public health warnings, urging people to be cautious about the food and beverages they consume outside their homes, especially during the festival season. On the way, they reportedly consumed cold drinks from a wayside vendor. The child developed diarrhoea and vomiting the following day and was later admitted to SAT hospital, where she is now recuperating in one of the paediatric wards. Shigellosis (bacillary dysentery) is a highly contagious bacterial diarrhoeal infection caused by shigella, which is contracted through contaminated food or water. The disease can present with mild symptoms or as severe cases of diarrhoea. The infection spreads through contaminated water, food and contact from infected surfaces. Symptoms usually appear within one to two days of infection and include fever, diarrhoea, vomiting, nausea, blood in stools, and painful, frequent urges to use the washroom.
The child had travelled with her family to Nagercoil on August 12, according to reports. The case was confirmed on Tuesday (August 18, 2026).
