While Kerala is battling Covid-19, the state has reported a new bacterial infection spreading fear, as the infection can be fatal and is believed to be contagious.
An 11-year-old boy died from the infection and many report symptoms.
This is everything you need to know about this new infection in Kerala:
1. The name of the bacteria is Shigella and the infection is known as shigellosis.
2. Symptoms include diarrhea, fever, stomach cramps that can last for seven days. Treatment is usually done with antibiotics, which can shorten the duration of the illness.
3. Shigella bacteria are transmitted from one person to another through various means, even after the infected person has been cured of diarrhea.
4. It takes a small amount of bacteria to make someone sick.
5. Contaminated food, water is the source of infection.
6. The presence of the bacteria is usually confirmed by a stool test.
7. As in the case of Covid-19, this infection can be prevented by maintaining proper hygiene. Proper hand washing is known to protect bacteria.
8. The bacteria are spread not only through surfaces, by touching an infected surface and then touching the mouth, but also by eating food prepared by someone who has the infection.
9. Although people of all ages can become infected, children are more susceptible to infection. Also in Kerala, those who have reported the infection are mostly children. People who travel are also vulnerable to infection, as they can be exposed to contaminated water during travel. Sexual contact with infected people can also cause the disease.
10. This is not the first time the infection has been reported in Kerala. In 2019, the bacteria was found in Koyilandy, after which schools were asked to monitor food hygiene at noon. 40 children from West Lower Elementary School, Keezhppayyur, were hospitalized in 2019, with similar symptoms.
As Kerala health officials are investigating the current outbreak and disinfecting local water bodies, it has been discovered that those currently suffering from the disease somehow came into contact with the 11-year-old boy. They had attended the child’s funeral or had eaten at his home.
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