District Collector Vinay Goyal presiding over a meeting of government officials in Malappuram on Monday.
| Photo Credit: SAKEER HUSSAIN
A seven-year-old boy from Kodur, near Malappuram, died of shigellosis at the Government Medical College Hospital, Kozhikode, on Monday.
The Class II student of AUP School, Malappuram, had been undergoing treatment for fever and diarrhoea for several days. He was shifted to the medical college hospital on Friday after his condition deteriorated.
The death is the fourth attributed to shigellosis in Kerala this year. Health officials said 135 cases of shigella infection were reported in the State so far, with Kozhikode accounting for nearly half of them.
Preventive measures
Amid concerns over the spread of water- and food-borne diseases during the monsoon, health authorities in Malappuram and Kozhikode have stepped up surveillance and preventive measures. Officials have urged the public to avoid consuming contaminated food and water and to maintain strict hygiene practices.
Meanwhile, the Malappuram district administration has announced a two-week campaign against communicable diseases from June 17 to 30. The drive will involve coordinated action by the Health, Food Safety, Education and Local Self-Government departments.
District Collector Vinay Goyal presided over a review meeting of officials on Monday to finalise the campaign. As part of the initiative, authorities will conduct inspections at hotels, roadside eateries and other food establishments. Repeat violations of food-safety norms will invite legal action, Mr. Goyal said.
The campaign will also focus on testing drinking water in schools and ensuring regular chlorination of water sources in educational institutions, households and public places. Schools have been directed to ensure the availability of safe drinking water to students.
Awareness programmes led by the Food Safety department will educate the public on hygiene, sanitation and food safety, with the aim of preventing outbreaks of potentially fatal communicable diseases during the monsoon season.
Two cases reported in Kannur
Two cases of Shigellosis have been reported from Mokeri panchayat in Kannur district, prompting the Health department to step up surveillance and implement preventive measures. The disease was confirmed in two boys aged four and eight years.
A meeting of the Rapid Response Team (RRT) was convened to assess the situation and coordinate containment activities. District Medical Officer Dr. K.C. Sachin urged the public to remain vigilant.
Published - June 15, 2026 07:38 pm IST
Read the full article at The Hindu →📄Source document: Health Minister K. Muraleedharan
3 reports
The HinduIndependentCenter3 days agoA 54-year-old woman with suspected Ebola symptoms was admitted to Government Medical College Hospital in Kottayam after returning from South Sudan. She initially sought treatment at a private hospital in Pala before being transferred for further evaluation. The patient is under observation in an isolation ward, and tests are pending to confirm if she has Ebola. Health authorities have stated they will prepare a contact list if the case is confirmed.
Bias read (Center): The article provides factual information without apparent ideological framing. It reports on a public health incident with standard procedural details and quotes an official statement without evident bias toward any political stance.
Official sources cited
- government Health Minister K. Muraleedharan
The HinduIndependentCenter5 days ago Two cases of shigellosis reported in Kerala’s IdukkiTwo cases of shigellosis have been confirmed in Idukki district of Kerala, involving two children aged four and nine from the Kanjikuzhi panchayat. Both children were hospitalized—one at the Idukki Government Medical College and the other at a private hospital in Thodupuzha. The District Medical Officer has stated there is no cause for concern regarding their health. The Health department has initiated an investigation into the source of the infection and plans to enhance monitoring and preventive measures.
Bias read (Center): The article provides factual information without apparent ideological framing. It reports on confirmed cases of a disease, mentions the actions taken by health authorities, and includes direct quotes from officials without evident bias or loaded language. There is no indication of partisan emphasis,
Official sources cited
- government District Medical Officer (DMO)
The HinduIndependentCenter6 days ago Boy dies of shigellosis; two cases reported in KannurA seven-year-old boy from Kodur, near Malappuram, died of shigellosis at the Government Medical College Hospital in Kozhikode. This marks the fourth death due to shigellosis in Kerala this year, with 135 cases reported statewide, nearly half of which are in Kozhikode. In response to concerns about the spread of water- and food-borne diseases during the monsoon season, health authorities in Malappuram and Kozhikode have increased surveillance and implemented preventive measures. The Malappuram district administration has launched a two-week campaign against communicable diseases, involving the
Bias read (Center): The article reports on a health issue (shigellosis) and the government's response without taking a stance or using biased language. It provides factual information about the number of cases, deaths, and the actions being taken by health authorities.
Official sources cited
- government Health officials
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