Shigellosis Outbreak in Kerala, India Causes Multiple Deaths and Hundreds of Cases
A severe shigellosis (bacillary dysentery) outbreak has hit Kerala, India, with 132 confirmed cases and 75 probable cases reported by June 12, 2026. The highly contagious bacterial infection, linked to contaminated water and food, has spread across districts including Wayanad, Kozhikode, and Thiruvananthapuram. Three deaths have occurred—two children in Kozhikode and a 59-year-old woman in Malappuram. Health authorities have intensified surveillance, issued hygiene advisories, and closed a bakery after finding shigella in pineapple juice. No new cases were reported in Wayanad by June 13.
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Eight more shigellosis cases reported in Kerala
Kerala, India, reported eight new shigellosis cases on June 26, 2026, bringing the monthly total to 180 and the year's total to 256. The new cases were distributed across Kozhikode (3), Wayanad (2), and one each in Ernakulam, Thrissur, and Malappuram. Six deaths linked to shigellosis have occurred in June, with outbreaks declared in Kozhikode, Wayanad, Thrissur, and Alappuzha. Shigellosis is a highly contagious bacterial infection causing diarrhea, fever, and stomach cramps. Separately, one high-risk contact of a Nipah patient has completed quarantine successfully, while the Nipah patient remains on ventilator support. Four very high-risk and 13 high-risk contacts remain under quarantine, with 75 low-risk contacts under observation. Health workers visited 69 houses in Ramanattukara municipality.
The Hindu: Latest News today from India and the World, Breaking news, Top Headlines and Trending News Videos.Ten more shigellosis cases reported in Kerala; 150 cases and six deaths in June
On June 22, 2026, ten new shigellosis cases were reported in the Indian state of Kerala, with seven in Kozhikode district and one each in Ernakulam, Malappuram, and Wayanad. During June alone, the state has recorded 150 shigellosis cases and six deaths, bringing the total for 2026 to 226 infections. Ongoing outbreaks are declared in Kozhikode (49 cases), Wayanad (20), Thrissur (12), and Alappuzha (3). The Health department also reported 56 confirmed and 172 probable dengue cases, with one death in Thiruvananthapuram. Additionally, seven confirmed leptospirosis cases with three probable deaths were reported in Palakkad and Kollam. Two Influenza A H1N1 deaths occurred in young individuals aged 38 and 34. A 66-year-old died from amoebic meningoencephalitis in Kollam.
The Hindu: Latest News today from India and the World, Breaking news, Top Headlines and Trending News Videos.One More Shigella Death and Seven New Cases Reported in Kerala
Kerala, India, reported an additional death from shigellosis on June 21, 2026, bringing the state's total fatalities from the infection this month to six. The deceased is a 54-year-old woman from Mavoor in Kozhikode district who died on June 20. Health authorities confirmed seven new infections across Kozhikode, Thiruvananthapuram, Thrissur, Malappuram, and Wayanad districts. With these additions, the state has recorded 140 shigella cases and six deaths in June, and 216 confirmed cases for the year. The highest number of cases this month has been in Kozhikode (42), Malappuram (20), and Wayanad (19). The Health Department is monitoring the outbreak as cases continue to spread across multiple districts.
The Hindu: Latest News today from India and the World, Breaking news, Top Headlines and Trending News Videos.13 more shigellosis cases reported in Kerala
Kerala is experiencing a rising outbreak of shigellosis, a highly contagious bacterial infection, with 13 new cases reported on June 20, 2026, bringing the June total to 133 cases and five deaths. The new cases were confirmed in Kozhikode, Malappuram, Kannur, Palakkad, and Kollam. Kozhikode and Wayanad districts continue to report the highest numbers. The state's year-to-date total stands at 209 cases with 6 deaths. Health authorities have intensified surveillance and containment measures to curb the spread, which occurs through contaminated food, water, or poor hygiene.
The Hindu: Latest News today from India and the World, Breaking news, Top Headlines and Trending News Videos.Ten more cases of shigellosis reported in Kerala
On June 19, 2026, Kerala reported ten new cases of shigellosis, bringing the total for the year to 196, with 120 cases recorded in June alone. The cases were distributed across Kozhikode (3), Thiruvananthapuram (2), Thrissur (2), Malappuram (2), and Palakkad (1). Concurrently, other infectious diseases are on the rise: 98 new dengue fever cases were reported, with a rising trend; 21 leptospirosis cases were also recorded. Ernakulam district accounted for 45 out of 90 cases statewide. Additionally, after a brief lull, a 43-year-old man who returned from Saudi Arabia was diagnosed with Mpox in Kilimanoor, Thiruvananthapuram, and is being treated in isolation at the Government Medical College Hospital. The report highlights a worsening public health situation in the state with multiple concurrent outbreaks.
The Hindu: Latest News today from India and the World, Breaking news, Top Headlines and Trending News Videos.Shigellosis Outbreak Spreads to Seven Districts in Kerala
The article reports a worsening shigellosis outbreak in the Indian state of Kerala, with new cases emerging across seven districts on June 17, 2026. The Health department confirmed that a 75-year-old woman died from shigellosis in Malappuram, and a 22-year-old woman died from acute diarrheal disease in Wayanad. New cases were reported in Thiruvananthapuram, Kollam, Ernakulam, Thrissur, Malappuram, Kozhikode, and Kannur districts. So far in 2026, the state has recorded 167 shigellosis cases and six deaths, indicating a significant public health concern.
The Hindu: Latest News today from India and the World, Breaking news, Top Headlines and Trending News Videos.Kerala Health Minister Orders Bottled Water Testing and Crackdown on Unhygienic Food Joints Amid Shigellosis Outbreak
Kerala Health Minister K. Muraleedharan has directed the food safety wing to conduct stringent inspections of bottled drinking water and close down unhygienic wayside food joints, as the state faces a significant outbreak of shigellosis, a waterborne disease. Between January and June 16, 2026, Kerala reported 155 shigellosis cases, including eight on Tuesday, and five deaths. Kozhikode district accounts for the highest number of cases with 74, followed by Malappuram with 14. To prevent vector-borne diseases like dengue, the Health department will release a calendar for mandatory 'dry days' to be observed by government offices and schools, focusing on source reduction of mosquito breeding sites.
The Hindu: Latest News today from India and the World, Breaking news, Top Headlines and Trending News Videos.Shigella Outbreak in Kerala: Virulent Bacterium Causes Shigellosis Cases and Deaths
Kerala, India is experiencing a significant shigellosis outbreak caused by the gram-negative Shigella bacterium, first detected in late March 2026 and continuing into June. As of June 12, 132 confirmed cases and 75 probable cases have been reported, with three deaths including two children under five. The outbreak began in Kuttikkattoor, Kozhikode, and spread to Wayanad, Malappuram, and Kannur districts, with a major cluster at a Wayanad school hospitalizing over 300 children. Transmission occurs via the fecal-oral route through contaminated food, water, or hands. Globally, Shigella causes 80-165 million infections and 600,000 deaths annually, primarily affecting children under five in sub-Saharan Africa and South Asia. Kerala has experienced previous shigellosis outbreaks in 2009, 2020, and 2022.
The Hindu: Latest News today from India and the World, Breaking news, Top Headlines and Trending News Videos.Two more deaths due to shigellosis in Kerala
On June 15, 2026, Kerala reported two additional deaths from shigellosis, a bacterial infection causing bacillary dysentery. A seven-year-old boy died in Kodur, Malappuram, and a 43-year-old man died in Kodakara, Thrissur, on June 13. The Health department confirmed eight new cases across Thiruvananthapuram, Kollam, Thrissur, Malappuram, and Kozhikode districts. So far in 2026, the state has recorded 147 confirmed cases, 76 probable cases, and five deaths from shigellosis.
The Hindu: Latest News today from India and the World, Breaking news, Top Headlines and Trending News Videos.Malappuram boy dies of shigellosis; district launches two-week disease prevention campaign
A seven-year-old boy from Kodur, Malappuram, died of shigellosis at Government Medical College Hospital, Kozhikode on June 15, 2026. The Class II student had been treated for fever and diarrhoea before being transferred to the hospital on Friday. This is the fourth shigellosis death in Kerala this year, with 135 cases reported statewide, nearly half in Kozhikode. In response, the Malappuram district administration announced a two-week campaign against communicable diseases from June 17-30, involving Health, Food Safety, Education, and Local Self-Government departments. Measures include inspections of food establishments, testing drinking water in schools, chlorination of water sources, and public awareness programmes on hygiene and food safety. District Collector Vinay Goyal chaired a review meeting to finalize the campaign, warning of legal action for repeat food safety violations.
The Hindu: Latest News today from India and the World, Breaking news, Top Headlines and Trending News Videos.Kerala Shigellosis Outbreak: Virulent Bacterium Causes 132 Cases, Three Deaths
Kerala, India, is experiencing a significant shigellosis outbreak first detected in late March 2026, with 132 confirmed cases and about 75 probable cases reported by June 12. Three deaths have been linked to the disease, including two children under five. The outbreak, caused by the gram-negative, contagious Shigella bacterium, has spread across Kozhikode, Wayanad, Malappuram, and Kannur districts. A major cluster emerged at a Wayanad school where over 300 children were hospitalized. Transmission occurs primarily through the faeco-oral route via contaminated food, water, or hands. Experts have traced infections to contaminated water and food sources, alongside poor hygiene in communal settings. Globally, Shigella causes an estimated 80-165 million infections and 600,000 deaths annually, with children under five most at risk. Severe cases require antibiotics, while mild infections typically resolve with hydration.
The Hindu: Latest News today from India and the World, Breaking news, Top Headlines and Trending News Videos.No Fresh Shigellosis Cases Reported in Wayanad
On June 13, 2026, the District Medical Officer of Wayanad, Kerala, reported that no new cases of shigellosis, a bacterial infection caused by Shigella, had been recorded in the district. Surveillance, prevention, and awareness activities are being intensified. The health condition of all 16 children diagnosed with the disease remains stable. Symptoms have been detected in 538 people so far. Seven more hospitalized patients were discharged on Saturday, reducing the number of patients undergoing treatment to 23 across various hospitals in the district.
The Hindu: Latest News today from India and the World, Breaking news, Top Headlines and Trending News Videos.Kerala reports third shigellosis death of 2026 as cases rise to 132
Kerala's Health department confirmed the death of a 59-year-old woman from Malappuram due to shigellosis on June 9, 2026, bringing the year's death toll to three. On June 12, 18 new cases were confirmed, raising the total to 132 confirmed cases with 75 probable cases. Seven children in Wayanad tested positive, adding to nine earlier cases there. Cases were also reported in Thiruvananthapuram, Kollam, Thrissur, Malappuram, and Kozhikode. Food Safety officials isolated shigella bacteria from a pineapple juice sample at a bakery in Kattakada, Thiruvananthapuram, leading to the bakery's closure. Health officials attribute the outbreak to deteriorating water quality, noting contamination of groundwater by faecal bacteria from poorly constructed septic tanks near wells. They emphasize handwashing and using boiled water as preventive measures.
The Hindu: Latest News today from India and the World, Breaking news, Top Headlines and Trending News Videos.Seven more Shigella cases confirmed in Kerala's Wayanad, total reaches 16
Seven additional Shigella infection cases have been confirmed among students at a school in Kerala's Wayanad district, bringing the total number of infected children to 16. District Medical Officer Dr. K.T. Rekha stated that infectious disease surveillance and preventive awareness activities have been intensified in the hill district. All 16 children are in satisfactory health condition. The outbreak is linked to contaminated well water at the school. Kerala Health Minister K. Muraleedharan reported that as of June 11, 578 people across the state were symptomatic and 55 hospitalized, with new cases also in Thiruvananthapuram, Kollam, and Kozhikode. The district collector declared a holiday for all schools in affected areas until June 14. Health officials advise symptomatic children to minimize contact, maintain hygiene, and seek immediate medical attention without self-medication.
The Hindu: Latest News today from India and the World, Breaking news, Top Headlines and Trending News Videos.Kerala Reports 34 Shigellosis Cases in June, Outbreak at Wayanad School
Kerala has reported 34 cases of shigellosis (bacillary dysentery) in June 2026, with a significant outbreak at Wayanad Mar Baselios HSS where three more children tested positive on June 11, bringing the total symptomatic children to around 514. The bacterial infection, which causes severe bloody diarrhea and fever, has been detected across multiple districts including Kozhikode (11 cases), Wayanad (8), and Thiruvananthapuram (6). Health Minister K. Muraleedharan confirmed that 47 people are undergoing treatment in Wayanad hospitals, with additional hospitalizations in Kozhikode, Thiruvananthapuram, and Kollam. Water samples from the school's well were found highly contaminated. The Health Department has issued an advisory urging parents to keep infected children at home, practice rigorous handwashing, boil drinking water, and avoid raw food. Last year, Kerala reported 133 cases with no deaths.
The Hindu: Latest News today from India and the World, Breaking news, Top Headlines and Trending News Videos.85 confirmed shigellosis cases reported in Kerala by June 2026
The Hindu reports that 85 confirmed and over 70 probable cases of shigellosis (bacillary dysentery) have been recorded in Kerala, India, by June 7, 2026. The highly contagious bacterial infection is spreading across districts including Wayanad, Kozhikode, Alappuzha, and Malappuram, with outbreaks linked to contaminated food/water and poor hygiene. Two child deaths have occurred in Kozhikode (April and June 6). While self-limiting in healthy adults, the disease is fatal for children under five, the elderly, and immunocompromised individuals. The Health Department has issued advisories on hygiene, food safety, and treatment, including handwashing, boiling water, and isolating infected individuals. Health Minister K. Muraleedharan ordered strengthened food safety checks, and opposition leader Pinarayi Vijayan called for urgent preventive measures.
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