'70 Shigella cases reported this month, High-power committee to control outbreak'

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Health Minister K Muraleedharan confirmed that 70 Shigella cases were reported in the state this month. The minister told a press conference that 146 Shigella cases have been reported from January to June, in which five people succumbed to the disease.

'70 Shigella cases were reported this month, including five deaths. The deaths were reported in Malappuram, Kozhikode and Thrissur districts. Two people each died in Kozhikode and Malappuram. The condition of a child undergoing treatment for Shigella in Kozhikode is critical.

So far, 38 tests have been conducted in the Nipah case. Of these, only the person currently undergoing treatment has tested positive. That is, 37 out of 38 tests are negative. The monsoon cleaning programs were disrupted due to the elections. The local bodies came in December. When they assumed office and became acquainted, the elections were announced in March. This is no one's fault. This led to an increase in infectious diseases this time.

We are now trying to prevent the spread of the disease. A large meeting was held in this regard this morning. It was suggested that a high-power committee should be formed to control the epidemic. A calendar will be made, and an outbreak monitoring unit will be formed at the district level," the minister said.