The Shigella infection connection to India's LPG price hike, and how to stay safe

Last year, Kerala reported 133 cases of Shigella, the highly contagious bacterium that causes the intestinal infection of shigellosis. This year, the state has already reported 85 cases. Two people have already died, while no deaths were reported last year. Around 10 patients were diagnosed this month alone.

The LPG prices connection

So what is different this year? Health authorities feel that dysentery infections, including Shigella, may be spreading in Kerala due to the burning fuel prices. The explanation for this strange connection is that many hotels are serving drinking water without boiling it properly. This is because the price of commercial gas cylinders has skyrocketed. Even in hotels where you get hot water, you cannot be sure it has been properly boiled.

The rising number of patients with dysentery and stomach flu indicates that water sources also are quickly contaminated during the monsoon. Leaving the food items open increases the risk of contamination.

Don't mix waters

Dr KJ Reena, Director of the Health Department, explains how certain seemingly harmless actions can also put our health at risk this season.

“Mixing normal water in boiled water is very dangerous at this time. The temperature of the water drops to 40 – 25 degrees when normal water is added to boiled water. Lots of bacteria proliferate at lightning speed in this water. Besides, drinking this water could cause severe diseases. Make sure to drink only boiled and cooled water," she explains.

What triggers Shigella
a) Contaminated food
b) Polluted water
c) Sexual contact with infected people
d) Having food handled by infected people

The variety causing the current spread is apparently 'Shiga' or 'Shigella dysenteriae type 1.' Many patients do not exhibit any symptoms of the disease. However, a patient's condition can also deteriorate quickly if infected. It was identified in a patient who died in Palakkad in 2017. Here are some of the symptoms of the infection:

Shigella symptoms
The symptoms can start around two days after infection and can last for up to seven days, according to the Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
a) Diarrhoea with blood
b) Fever
c) Exhaution
d) Stomach cramps

Who is vulnerable

An infection that requires a very small number of bacteria to ruin your health, shigellosis is dangerous in children under the age of five, the elderly, and those with compromised immune systems.