A seven-year-old boy from Pookkottur in Kerala died of a Shigella infection on Monday, becoming the fourth person to succumb to the disease in Kerala this year, according to health officials.
According to PTI, the child was undergoing treatment at the Government Medical College Hospital in Kozhikode. Officials said he was admitted to the hospital on June 12 after developing fever and diarrhoea and was subsequently diagnosed with Shigella infection.
With the latest death, the number of fatalities linked to the bacterial infection in Kerala has risen to four in 2026. Health department data show that this is also the third Shigella-related death reported in June alone.
According to the Directorate of Health Services (DHS), the state had recorded 138 confirmed Shigella cases as of June 14, with Kozhikode district reporting the highest caseload, PTI reported.
Authorities have also identified 77 suspected cases across Kerala.
The infection has seen a notable rise this month, with 62 confirmed cases and 17 suspected cases reported in June. Officials said three new confirmed infections were detected on June 14.
Shigella is a contagious bacterial disease that primarily affects the intestines and commonly causes diarrhoea, fever and abdominal cramps. The infection spreads through contaminated food or water and direct contact with infected individuals, prompting health authorities to maintain close surveillance and preventive measures.
Shigella and Nipah virus situation is under control: Health Minister
According to ANI, while addressing concerns over the twin public health challenges, Kerala Health Minister K Muraleedharan on Sunday said the situation remains under control and that authorities are maintaining continuous monitoring.
Speaking about the Nipah virus situation, Muraleedharan said one patient remains on ventilator support and has undergone around 30 tests for Nipah infection.
“Twenty-nine other individuals tested negative and are not showing any symptoms, indicating that the situation is under control,” the minister said, ANI reported.
135 Shigella cases reported in Kerala
Providing an update on the Shigella outbreak, Muraleedharan said the state has reported 135 cases so far.
“Three deaths have been reported: a three-year-old child, a four-year-old girl and a 59-year-old woman. Continuous monitoring is underway. Medicines have been stocked and distributed, and there is no communication gap within the team,” he said.
Opposition questions government`s outbreak management
Meanwhile, Leader of Opposition Pinarayi Vijayan criticised the state government`s handling of disease containment efforts, drawing comparisons with the previous Left Democratic Front (LDF) administration`s response to Nipah outbreaks.
Vijayan said that during earlier Nipah outbreaks, the then health minister had camped in affected areas and directly coordinated containment operations.
“During the LDF government`s tenure, when Nipah outbreaks occurred in the state, the then Health Minister camped in the affected area and coordinated the containment activities. However, such vigilance is not being seen now,” he said, ANI reported.
Concerns over DHS transfer during health crisis
The opposition leader also questioned the government`s decision to transfer the Director of Health Services (DHS) during a critical phase of disease surveillance and containment.
According to Vijayan, replacing a senior health official during an active public health situation is unusual and could affect continuity in response efforts.
He further alleged that the transfer was linked to differences over the functioning of the department`s internal transfer system rather than administrative requirements.
Authorities continue surveillance
Health officials said surveillance and containment measures for both Shigella and Nipah remain in place, with medical teams continuing contact tracing, monitoring and awareness campaigns in affected areas. The state government has urged the public to remain vigilant and follow health advisories while assuring that adequate medical supplies and response mechanisms are available.
(With PTI and ANI inputs)
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