NEW DELHI: A seven-year-old boy from Kerala’s Malappuram district died of Shigella infection while undergoing treatment at a government hospital, taking the state’s death toll from the bacterial disease to four this year, health officials said on Monday.The child, identified as Arjav, had been admitted to Kozhikode Government Medical College Hospital on June 12 with fever and diarrhoea and was later diagnosed with the infection. The death comes amid a rise in Shigella cases in Kerala, with 138 confirmed infections reported across the state so far in 2026.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 Kozhikode district recording the highest number of cases.In addition, 77 suspected cases have been reported across the state while in June alone, 62 confirmed cases and 17 suspected cases of the infection have been recorded, PTI reported, quoting the officials.They added that 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.According to the Indian Journal of Medical Research, ‘Shigellosis is one of the major causes of diarrhoea in India.’ It notes that accurate estimates of morbidity and mortality due to the disease are not readily available, although it is considered endemic in the country and has been linked to multiple outbreaks.Authorities said surveillance and containment measures are ongoing in affected districts.