Thrissur: Kerala Health Minister K Muraleedharan has announced that all thattukadas (streetside eateries) failing to maintain hygiene standards will be shut down, following a Shigella outbreak in parts of the state. The minister emphasized that lack of hygiene in food and water is a major factor for contracting Shigella, and ensuring cleanliness in all eateries is crucial. He noted that several thattukadas are reportedly not maintaining proper hygienic standards.
Inspections and Enforcement
The food safety department has been directed to conduct thorough inspections of all eateries. Any thattukada found violating hygiene standards will be closed down without leniency, Muraleedharan stated during a press conference in Thrissur on Monday.
Current Situation in Wayanad
Twenty-one patients with symptoms similar to Shigella have been admitted to the taluk hospital at Kalpetta in Wayanad. Among them, two have tested positive for the disease, and four others are under observation. Some patients are seeking treatment in private hospitals, but all are receiving care appropriate for Shigella patients. Health officials are tracking discharged patients at their homes to ensure follow-up measures.
Muraleedharan reassured the public, saying there is no need for panic as the situation is under control. Teams of medical personnel under the additional director of public health are stationed in Wayanad.
Risk Factors and Response
The minister explained that Shigella infection can be severe in children under five years old but is less dangerous for older children. All current hospitalized patients are above five years of age. He confirmed that medicine supplies have been ensured in disease-prone areas and there is no manpower shortage. However, he acknowledged a statewide issue of delayed payments to medical suppliers, which has been brought to the chief minister's attention, with efforts underway to resolve it promptly.
Muraleedharan plans to visit Wayanad on Tuesday to strengthen containment measures. District medical officers across all districts have been instructed to take steps to prevent the spread of Shigella. This comes after a four-year-old girl from Thalakkulathur in Kozhikode district died from Shigella infection on Saturday.
