A week-long chlorination drive will be taken up in Wayanad district in view of the shigellosis case reported at the Government Engineering College there on July 20.This was decided at a meeting presided over by Agriculture Minister T. Siddique at the college on Tuesday (July 21). All open wells in the district and other waterbodies would be covered during the drive. The Minister urged people to be careful against the spread of infectious diseases in the monsoon season and maintain personal hygiene. The test results of the student came on Monday (July 20).Mr. Siddique said three more students had shown symptoms of the infection. Steps would be taken to examine the water used in the hotel from where the students ate food. Meanwhile, the authorities at the Thavinjal grama panchayat, in whose jurisdiction the college falls, took up containment steps in the area. A meeting was also held involving the staff at the Peria Community Health Centre and the college authorities.Inspections would be held in all places where the students are staying. Mr. Siddique said directions had been issued to all local bodies in the district to hold urgent meetings to take up cleaning works. Ward-level meetings would have to be held to discuss chlorination activities, he added. MLAs from the district, officials, and other people’s representatives were present.The infection was earlier reported in Nenmeni grama panchayat in the district in June. Seventeen students of an aided school had tested positive for shigellosis, while over 500 people had sought medical treatment with symptoms. Published - July 21, 2026 07:13 pm IST