Seven more students tested positive for shigellosis, a bacterial infection caused by shigella, in Wayanad in Kerala on Friday, taking the total number of confirmed cases to 16.

In a statement, District Medical Officer (DMO) K.T. Rekha said surveillance and preventive measures had been intensified across the district. Dr. Rekha said the health condition of all 16 children diagnosed with the disease was stable.

So far, symptoms of the disease have been identified in over 500 people, a majority of them children. At present, around 45 patients are undergoing treatment in various hospitals. A total of 174 people have been admitted to hospitals since the outbreak began.

Over the past week, a large number of students from Mar Baselios AUP School at Koliyadi near Sulthan Bathery sought treatment after developing symptoms including fever, vomiting, and diarrhoea. Subsequent tests confirmed a shigellosis outbreak.

The DMO said children showing symptoms of the disease should minimise contact with others as much as possible. Necessary precautions and preventive measures must be taken to prevent the disease from spreading from children to others, including adults. If any new symptoms are observed, health workers should be informed immediately and medical treatment should be sought at the nearest health facility, the DMO said.

Dr. Rekha urged the public to strictly follow the precautionary guidelines and preventive measures issued by the Health department. She emphasised that there should be no lapses in personal hygiene, food hygiene or environmental sanitation. Anyone experiencing symptoms should seek treatment immediately at the nearest health facility and avoid self-medication.

As part of field-level disease surveillance activities, health workers have visited more than 2,200 households. More than 1,300 wells across the district have been chlorinated and over 900 ORS packets have been distributed.