Daijiworld Media Network - Thiruvananthapuram

Thiruvananthapuram, Jun 12: Kerala's health machinery has intensified surveillance across the state as authorities grapple with two simultaneous public health concerns — a fresh Nipah virus alert and an ongoing Shigella outbreak in Wayanad.

Health officials have urged residents to remain cautious but not alarmed, stressing that both situations are being closely monitored and managed through established disease-control protocols.

State Health Minister K. Muraleedharan said the government has taken all necessary precautions and that the situation remains under control.

The Centre has also stepped in to closely track developments following the emergence of a suspected Nipah case in Kerala. The Union Health Ministry said it is maintaining constant contact with state authorities and has extended all necessary support to prevent any possible spread of the virus.

Samples collected from suspected patients and individuals identified through contact tracing have been rushed to the National Institute of Virology (NIV) in Pune for urgent testing. Officials said definitive information about the infection, including its source and extent, will be available only after laboratory results are received.

Meanwhile, state and central health agencies have intensified preventive measures, with Kerala being instructed to strictly implement all existing Nipah containment guidelines and standard operating procedures.

Alongside the Nipah concern, health authorities continue to battle a Shigella outbreak in Wayanad district. The number of confirmed cases has climbed to nine, while additional test reports are awaited.

The outbreak has primarily affected children, with hundreds seeking medical attention after reporting symptoms associated with the bacterial infection. According to officials, 502 students from a school in the affected region have undergone medical evaluation, while 47 individuals are currently receiving treatment.

As a precautionary measure, educational institutions in three panchayats and the Sulthan Bathery municipal area have been temporarily closed to reduce the risk of transmission.

Health authorities have also advised parents to keep children away from crowded gatherings, public events and other high-risk settings until the situation stabilises.

Field teams are continuing inspections, surveillance activities and public awareness campaigns in affected areas to identify new cases early and prevent further spread.

With both health threats unfolding simultaneously, the state government has stepped up monitoring efforts and appealed to the public to follow official advisories while avoiding unnecessary panic.