Kerala Teen Dies After Eating Shigella Contaminated Chicken Shawarma. What You Should Know

Thiruvananthapuram: Following the death of a 16-year-old boy in Kerala due to food poisoning and the hospitalization of more than 40 people, the state health department has identified the cause of the tragedy – Shigella bacteria. According to the Indian Express, the presence of bacteria in the blood and feces of people admitted after eating chicken shawarma from a restaurant at Cheruvathur in Kasargod last week was confirmed. According to doctors, Shigella’s infection is more serious than regular food poisoning. The primary symptom for this is diarrhea and may be accompanied by abdominal pain, fever, vomiting, etc. It can be fatal to children under five or to children with low immunity.Also read – Explained | 5 ways in which repo rate, CRR increase by RBI will affect you

What is Shigella?

1. Shigella is one of the leading bacterial causes of diarrhea worldwide and is an intestinal infection caused by a family of bacteria called Enterobacter. However, not all bacteria in the enterobacter family cause diseases in humans.
2. Shigella mainly affects the intestines and can cause diarrhea, abdominal pain and fever.
3. It is a food- and water-borne infection, and when a person eats contaminated food – as in the case of Kerala – unwashed fruits or vegetables.
4. U.S. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) says the infection spreads easily because it “takes only a small number of bacteria to make someone sick”.
5. The disease is easily transmitted through direct or indirect contact with the patient’s feces. You can become infected if you swim or bathe in contaminated water.

How common is Shigella?

1. Outbreaks appear to be exacerbated during pregnancy, in children under five years of age, and in people with weakened immune systems.
2. According to the CDC, there are four types of Shigella bacteria that affect humans. These are Shigella Sonei, Shigella Flexneri, Shigella Boydi and Shigella dysenteria. The fourth type causes the most serious disease because it produces toxins.
3. According to a report in the Indian Express, Shigella infection is not very common. Dr. Suranjit Chatterjee, Senior Consultant, Internal Medicine, Indraprastha Apollo Hospital, New Delhi, said, “Our hospital will probably have Shigellosis out of 100 cases of diarrhea.

When to See a Doctor for Shigella?

1. A person who has severe diarrhea, which means 20 or more bowel movements in a day, should see a doctor in a day. A patient with mild diarrhea may wait three to four days before going to the doctor.
2. If you or your baby has bloody diarrhea or diarrhea that causes weight loss and dehydration, you must consult your doctor.
3. If the infected person has a fever of 101 degrees Fahrenheit (38 degrees Celsius) or higher, the person should go to the hospital immediately.

Precautions for Shigella

1. Precautions for Shigella are the same as for any food and waterborne diseases.
2. Wash your hands thoroughly before and after meals.
3. Wash your hands properly after bowel movements.
4. Make sure the water you drink is clean and the fruits and vegetables are fresh.
5. Make sure products like milk, chicken and fish that are more prone to spoilage are kept at the right temperature and cooked well.

Is Death Common in Shigella Infection?

The infection usually does not spread, unless the patient has a weakened immune system. Bacteria can also be deadly if they are resistant to drugs. “It is a very treatable condition; If the patient arrives at the hospital on time, he can be treated effectively using IV antibiotics, ”said Dr. Chatterjee was quoted by the Indian Express. Also read – Loudspeaker: What the Noise Pollution Rules Say | Explained

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