A seven-year-old boy from Kodur, near Malappuram, died of shigellosis at the Government Medical College Hospital, Kozhikode, on Monday.

The Class II student of AUP School, Malappuram, had been undergoing treatment for fever and diarrhoea for several days. He was shifted to the medical college hospital on Friday after his condition deteriorated.

The death is the fourth attributed to shigellosis in Kerala this year. Health officials said 135 cases of shigella infection were reported in the State so far, with Kozhikode accounting for nearly half of them.

Preventive measures

Amid concerns over the spread of water- and food-borne diseases during the monsoon, health authorities in Malappuram and Kozhikode have stepped up surveillance and preventive measures. Officials have urged the public to avoid consuming contaminated food and water and to maintain strict hygiene practices.

Meanwhile, the Malappuram district administration has announced a two-week campaign against communicable diseases from June 17 to 30. The drive will involve coordinated action by the Health, Food Safety, Education and Local Self-Government departments.

District Collector Vinay Goyal presided over a review meeting of officials on Monday to finalise the campaign. As part of the initiative, authorities will conduct inspections at hotels, roadside eateries and other food establishments. Repeat violations of food-safety norms will invite legal action, Mr. Goyal said.

The campaign will also focus on testing drinking water in schools and ensuring regular chlorination of water sources in educational institutions, households and public places. Schools have been directed to ensure the availability of safe drinking water to students.

Awareness programmes led by the Food Safety department will educate the public on hygiene, sanitation and food safety, with the aim of preventing outbreaks of potentially fatal communicable diseases during the monsoon season.