Shigella cases ring alarm bells in Thrissur as 10 infections surface in nine days

The source of infection has been identified as the temple well from which water was taken for rituals.

A cluster of Shigella infections linked to a temple festival has put health authorities in Thrissur on alert, with 10 cases reported in the district in the first nine days of October. Seven of the cases, including that of a seven-month-old child, were reported from Tholur among people who had attended a festival at a temple there.

The suspected source of the infection has been traced to a well at the temple, from which water was drawn for rituals. The well has since been chlorinated, District Medical Officer M. Sujatha said.

“The seven Shigella cases reported from Tholur were among people who attended a festival at a temple in Tholur. The source of infection has been identified as the temple well from which water was taken for rituals. The well has been chlorinated,” Dr. Sujatha said.

Health teams are closely monitoring the situation, while hospitals have been instructed to respond immediately if any further cases are detected. Awareness campaigns have also been conducted in the area, with people advised to seek medical attention promptly if they develop symptoms, she said.