Wayanad: Five more students of Mar Baselios AUP School, Koliyadi, have tested positive for Shigella, taking the total number of confirmed cases in the district to eight, health officials said on Wednesday.

The latest cases were identified from samples sent for laboratory testing on June 7. Earlier, three infections had been confirmed. All eight infected children are girls aged between 5 and 11 years, and their condition remains stable, according to the Health Department.

Authorities have initiated treatment under the Shigella protocol for all patients who reported symptoms in recent days. A special Health Department team led by Additional Director of Public Health Dr K P Reetha visited the school and surrounding areas, including nearby tribal settlements, to assess the situation. As part of containment efforts, a special chlorination drive has been launched in Nenmeni grama panchayat to ensure the safety of drinking water sources.

Three-day holiday for 12 schools
The Education Department has declared a three-day holiday for 12 schools identified as high-risk contact institutions in Nenmeni Grama Panchayat and Sulthan Bathery Municipality. As a precautionary measure, an engineering college in Vadakara, Kozhikode, has also been temporarily closed.

The schools to remain shut are St Mary's Higher Secondary School (Sulthan Bathery), St Joseph English Medium High School (Sulthan Bathery), Ideal High School (Sulthan Bathery), Technical High School (Sulthan Bathery), Nirmala Matha Higher Secondary School (Sulthan Bathery), Government High School (Sulthan Bathery), Government LP School (Malika), Government LP School (Kunthani), Government Higher Secondary School (Moolamkavu), Ashramam High School (Pookkode), St Thomas High School (Chulliode), and Mar Baselios AUP School, Koliyadi.

Officials said these institutions were included in the high-risk contact list because siblings of infected students study there. Some of them have reportedly developed symptoms, prompting authorities to order temporary closure.

Restrictions on gatherings
The district administration has intensified containment measures in Nenmeni grama panchayat, neighbouring Ambalavayal and Noolpuzha panchayats, and Sulthan Bathery Municipality. Restrictions on mass gatherings have been imposed in Nenmeni for seven days. Residents have been advised to avoid large events, including weddings, public meetings, protests and fairs during this period.

The Health Department has urged the public to maintain strict hygiene practices, use masks where necessary and regularly sanitise their hands to prevent further spread of the infection.

Meanwhile, Health officials maintain that the outbreak remains under control. Sulthan Bathery Taluk Hospital Superintendent Dr Sindhu said the Health Department had begun treatment based on symptoms even before laboratory confirmation. "Based on the clinical presentation, we immediately followed the Shigella treatment protocol. After the first two samples tested positive, treatment and surveillance measures were further strengthened," she said.

Dr Sindhu also indicated the possibility of limited secondary transmission. Three adults have reported symptoms so far, including two new cases. As of Wednesday, 14 patients, including three adults, were admitted to the Taluk Hospital for observation and treatment.

Officials said the situation is not alarming at present but stressed that strict surveillance and preventive measures will continue in the coming days.