The Health department has launched a special State-wide campaign against diarrhoeal diseases from June 16 with the tag line, “Prevent diarrhoeal diseases, save lives.” The campaign will run till July 31.

The campaign is being launched following the increased incidence of water-borne diseases, especially shigellosis, across the State this rainy season and which has contributed to many child deaths too. The Union Health Ministry has also issued a directive to the State that a special campaign be launched in close coordination with other departments, with the focus on prevention through increased awareness and behavioural change in the community.

Meanwhile, shigellosis continued to be reported from various districts on Thursday also, with 19 new cases being reported from Balaramapuram and Pangappara in Thiruvananthapouram; Kilikolloor in Kollam; Mazhuvannoor in Ernakulam; Vallathole Nagar in Thrissur; Pookkottur in Malappuram and Nadapuram, Elathur, Melady, Vanimel, Thunery, Thiruvambady, Mavoor, Kolathara, Vayalada in Kozhikode and Pappinissery and Iritty in Kannur district.

The Health department has declared an ongoing shigellosis outbreak in four districts --Kozhikode (33 cases), Wayanad (18 cases),Thrissur (9 cases) and Alappuzha (3 cases).

A total of 186 shigellosis cases have been reported in the State so far this year. Of these, 110 cases were reported in June alone.

As part of the special campaign, awareness creation activities will be strengthened in all districts. Preventive measures will be organised and coordinated by the Health department in health institutions, anganwadis, schools and households in partnership with the General Education, Women and Child Development, Water Resources, Local Self-Government departments and other agencies like Jalanidhi.

Some of the key interventions to prevent the establishment and transmission of shigellosis in an area include promotion of breastfeeding, vaccination against rotavirus, disinfection of drinking water, regular water-quality testing, scientific waste management, promotion of proper handwashing and hygiene measures, provision of oral rehydration salts and zinc supplements at health facilities and anganwadis, and protection of water supply sources.

The campaign will also focus on public awareness regarding personal hygiene, washing hands with soap after using the toilet and before meals, hygiene practices to be followed while breastfeeding and while handling children’s poop and the hygienic and proper manner of preparing ORS at home