Idukki: Two cases of Shigella infection have been confirmed in Idukki district, health officials said on Thursday. The patients are a nine-year-old boy and a four-and-a-half-year-old girl from Pazhayarikkandam in Kanjikuzhy panchayat.

The infection was confirmed through stool culture tests. The test result of the nine-year-old boy came on Tuesday, while the girl’s result was confirmed on Wednesday.

The nine-year-old developed symptoms on June 12 and was admitted to a private hospital in Thodupuzha the following day. The four-and-a-half-year-old girl developed symptoms on June 13 and was admitted to Idukki Medical College Hospital the following day.

District health officials said both children showed symptoms consistent with Shigella infection.

As a precautionary measure, water samples have been collected from the school attended by both children for testing. The water source has also been chlorinated as part of preventive measures, officials said.