A three-year-old girl died in Kerala’s Kozhikode district earlier this month from Shigellosis, a bacterial infection that causes severe, often bloody, diarrhoea. The infection can occur with or without fever.
According to the office of the Kozhikode District Medical Officer, 63 Shigellosis cases have been reported from Peruvayal village in March 2026. The authorities are actively monitoring the situation.
It has been estimated that shigellosis triggers a huge disease burden globally, causing nearly 125 million diarrhoeal episodes annually and around 1,60,000 deaths, with a third of these associated with children under five years of age.
In India, according to the Indian Council of Medical Research, the accurate estimates of morbidity and mortality due to shigellosis are lacking, though it is endemic in the country and has been reported to cause many outbreaks.
WHAT IS SHIGELLOSIS?
Shigellosis is an intestinal infection caused by the gram-negative, or hard-to-treat, Shigella bacteria. Symptoms include diarrhoea with blood or mucus, fever, abdominal pain and cramps, and vomiting. It is also known as bacillary dysentery, although shigellosis is different from dysentery.
Symptoms usually last five to seven days and are mostly manageable at home. However, in some cases, the infection could be severe, requiring medical attention.
“Look for signs of dehydration, dry mouth, decreased urination and lethargy,” Dr Dhansukh Kumawat, Director of Paediatrics and Neonatology at the Yatharth Super Speciality Hospital, Faridabad, advised. “You should seek medical assistance right away if you notice any of these symptoms becoming more severe, lasting for a long time, or if you’re young, under 18, elderly, over 60, or have an impaired immune system,” he said.
Severe complications of the disease include widespread bacterial infections, seizures, and reactive arthritis.
HOW DOES IT SPREAD?
Shigellosis spreads via the faecal-oral route, meaning the bacteria travel from the stool of an infected person into the mouth of another. This can happen through contaminated water or food by touching contaminated surfaces such as diaper pails, changing tables, bathroom fixtures, or eating food prepared by someone who has a Shigella infection.
The bacteria can also spread through contaminated water sources in unsanitary conditions. It can spread through swallowing contaminated water from lakes and rivers.
WHO IS MOST VULNERABLE?
Children under five years of age are most susceptible to Shigellosis.
“Since kids have weaker immune systems than adults and can’t effectively fight off infections, Shigella infections tend to be more serious in children than adults,” Dr Kumawat said.
Elderly people, those with weakened immune systems due to conditions like HIV or treatments such as chemotherapy, are also at a greater risk. International travellers visiting areas with untreated water or poor sanitation should be cautious.
HOW CAN YOU PROTECT YOURSELF?
Currently, there is no approved vaccine for shigellosis. Good hygiene and environmental safeguards are the only ways to prevent the infection.
Drinking potable water, practising personal and food hygiene, fly control, and sanitation measures are some common safety measures. Wash your hands with soap and water frequently, for at least 20 seconds each time, particularly after using the toilet and after cleaning up after someone who is sick. Avoid swallowing water while swimming, and take care when changing diapers. For mild cases, supportive care such as adequate fluid intake and rest is often sufficient.
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