Following Nipah, Shigella infection brings Kerala under blanket of panic

While Nipah virus took a halt in Kerala after claiming as many as 17 lives, the state is now under the panic of Shigella infection. 

Having taken the lives of three people including a 2-year-old boy, two more children infected by Shigella are admitted to Kozhikode State Hospital. A team of doctors are currently treating the children.

Kerala health officials have also issued a warning about the infection after three people died due to Shigella infection.

It is a bacteria, which is noted to be one of the leading causes of dysentery in the world. Contaminated food, water and contact with infected people are the major causes for the bacteria. After one week of getting infected, people may experience nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, cramps, or bloating, fever or diarrhoea, which is blood or mucous stained.

To avoid getting infected, one must follow proper food, water and personal hygiene. Health experts have advised people to drink boiled water and to avoid food brought from outside.