Kerala experiences Shigella outbreaks, highlighting global threat of multi-drug resistant bacterium
Kerala has recently experienced multiple outbreaks of shigellosis, a diarrhoeal disease caused by the highly contagious Shigella bacterium, with 132 confirmed cases and three deaths, primarily among children. Shigella, which causes 80-165 million infections and 6,00,000 deaths globally each year, is transmitted faeco-orally through contaminated food, water, or poor hygiene. The bacterium is increasingly multi-drug resistant, posing a significant challenge to treatment. Experts emphasize the need for continuous surveillance of antibiotic resistance and judicious use of antibiotics to combat shigellosis, especially in regions with weak formal healthcare access.
Key Points
- Kerala has seen recent outbreaks of shigellosis, a diarrhoeal disease caused by the Shigella bacterium.
- Shigella is highly contagious, transmitted faeco-orally, and causes millions of infections and deaths globally, especially among children.
- The bacterium is developing rapid multi-drug resistance, making treatment challenging.
- Continuous surveillance of antibiotic resistance and judicious antibiotic use are crucial to combat shigellosis.
Exam Facts
- Bacterium: Shigella.
- Disease: Shigellosis (diarrhoeal disease).
- Location of outbreaks: Kerala (Kuttikkattoor, Kozhikode; Wayanad, Malappuram, Kannur).
- Global infections: 80-165 million annually.
- Global deaths: 6,00,000 annually.
Read it. Retain it. Recall it.
Get spaced-repetition flashcards, daily quizzes and offline access — free on Android.