Kerala Reports Fresh Deaths Linked to Infectious Diseases, Shigella Cases Reach 59

Kerala's health authorities have intensified communicable disease surveillance across the state after confirming three more deaths linked to infectious diseases in June, even as officials continue efforts to contain a rise in Shigella infections during the monsoon season.

According to data released by the Directorate of Health Services (DHS), the death of a 10-year-old boy in Kalpetta, Wayanad , on June 8 was confirmed as fever-related. A 59-year-old woman from Ottapalam in Palakkad died of amoebic meningoencephalitis (brain fever) on June 11, while an 85-year-old woman from Perumbavoor in Ernakulam succumbed to influenza on June 9.

The state reported 11,534 confirmed fever cases on Saturday, underscoring the seasonal surge in communicable diseases. Kerala also recorded 85 confirmed dengue cases and 208 suspected cases .

Health officials are closely monitoring the spread of Shigella , a bacterial infection that can cause severe gastrointestinal illness. Three new confirmed cases were reported from Kollam, Thrissur, and Malappuram , taking the total number of confirmed Shigella infections in June to 59 . The disease has already claimed two lives this month.

The DHS data further recorded eight cases of leptospirosis, 24 cases of Hepatitis A, seven cases of mumps, 86 cases of chickenpox, 79 cases of influenza, and two cases of scrub typhus on Saturday.

Officials said preventive and surveillance measures have been strengthened across districts, particularly in areas reporting Shigella infections. While the number of new cases remains under observation, health authorities expressed optimism that intensified containment efforts would help reduce daily infections in the coming days.

With the southwest monsoon creating favourable conditions for the spread of waterborne and vector-borne diseases, the Kerala health department has urged the public to maintain hygiene, ensure safe drinking water, and seek timely medical attention for symptoms of infectious illnesses.