Malappuram (Kerala) | A seven-year-old child from Pookkottur in this district died of Shigella infection on Monday, marking the fourth fatality due to the disease in Kerala this year, health officials said.

The deceased, Arjav, died while undergoing treatment at the Kozhikode Government Medical College Hospital, they said.

Officials said Arjav had been admitted to the hospital on June 12 with fever and diarrhoea and was later diagnosed with Shigella infection.

This is the fourth Shigella-related death reported in the state this year and the third in June, officials said.

According to data from the Directorate of Health Services (DHS), 138 confirmed cases of Shigella infection had been reported in Kerala till June 14, with the highest number of cases recorded in Kozhikode district.

In addition, 77 suspected cases have been reported across the state.

In June alone, 62 confirmed cases and 17 suspected cases of the infection have been recorded, officials said.

Three fresh confirmed cases were reported on June 14.

Shigella is a bacterial infection that causes diarrhoea, fever and stomach cramps.

It spreads mainly through contaminated food or water and through contact with infected persons.