Kozhikode: It has been confirmed that a two-year-old boy who died at the Medical College Hospital here on Monday was not infected by the dangerous shigella virus.
Earlier, it was reported that Ziyan, son of Thamarassery native Asharaf, had died of the infection. The boy had been undergoing treatment at the hospital.
The blood samples of the boy were tested negative at the Manipal College of Medical Sciences later in the day.
Earlier, two people had died due to the infection in Malappuram district. Last year too, two children had died due to the infection in Kozhikode.
At present, two more children are undergoing treatment at the Medical College for suspected infection of the virus.
Early this year, Kozhikode and Malappuram were under the grip of the Nipah virus after around 17 of 19 people, who were infected, died.
On July 1, the Kerala government announced that the districts of Kozhikode and Malappuram were completely rid of nipah cases. The announcement was made after no fresh cases of the virus were reported following the 42-day incubation period.
Shigella scare
Likely sources: Contaminated food or water, or contact with an infected person. Foods most often associated with Shigella outbreaks are salads and sandwiches that involve a lot of hand contact in their preparation, and raw vegetables contaminated in the field.
Incubation Period: 1 -7 days (usually 1-3 days)
Symptoms: Sudden abdominal cramping, fever, diarrhea that may be bloody or contains mucus, nausea and vomiting
How to prevent Shigella infection:
• Wash hands with soap carefully and frequently, especially after going to the bathroom, after changing diapers, and before preparing foods or beverages.
• Dispose of soiled diapers properly.
• Disinfect diaper changing areas after using them.
• Keep children with diarrhea out of child care settings while they are ill.
• Supervise handwashing of toddlers and small children after they use the toilet.
• Do not prepare food for others while ill with diarrhea.
• Avoid swallowing water from ponds, lakes, or untreated pools.
• When traveling, drink only treated or boiled water, and eat only cooked hot foods or fruits you peel yourself.
