Health dept. urges safe food habits after 3 shigellosis cases reported in Kochi

Bengaluru metro has recorded 59 track-related incidents over the past 14 years, including suicide attempts, suicide deaths, accidental falls and unauthorised track access, according to data from the Bangalore Metro Rail Corporation Ltd. (BMRCL).The figures, covering the period from 2012 to 2025, have come under renewed focus following the death of a passenger who allegedly jumped in front of an approaching train at Huskur Road Metro Station on the Yellow Line on Monday, once again intensifying demands for platform screen doors (PSDs) across the network.The BMRCL data shows that 31 cases involved unauthorised track access, 16 were suicide attempts, eight were passengers falling onto the tracks, and four resulted in suicide deaths.Past incidentsThe first such incident on the Namma Metro network was recorded in 2012, when a 16-year-old first-year student allegedly jumped in front of an approaching train at M.G. Road Metro Station at around 8.35 p.m.The number of incidents has risen over the years as the Metro network has expanded and daily ridership has increased.Suicide attempts reached their highest level in 2024, when eight cases were reported. The number fell to five in 2025, while two attempts were recorded in 2021 and one in 2019. Suicide deaths were reported once in 2012, twice in 2024 and once in 2025. Accidental falls onto the tracks were relatively few in the early years but increased to three cases in 2022, followed by two each in 2024 and 2025. Unauthorised track access accounted for more than half of all incidents. Such cases increased from four in 2021 to six in 2022, peaked at eight in 2023, before declining slightly to seven in 2024 and five in 2025.While in 2026, according to officials two suicide-related incidents have already been reported in July this year, including Monday’s fatal incident at Huskur Road Metro Station.The Huskur incident follows several similar tragedies on the Bengaluru Metro network in recent years. On December 5, 2025, a 38-year-old engineer died by suicide after jumping in front of a Purple Line train at Kengeri Metro Station. Earlier, on August 3, 2024, a 57-year-old man died after jumping before a Green Line train at Doddakallasandra Metro Station. On March 21, 2024, a 19-year-old law student died after jumping onto the Purple Line tracks at Attiguppe Metro Station.Bengaluru Metro track-related incidents (2012–2025)Total incidents: 59Break-up of incidentsUnauthorised track access: 31Suicide attempts: 16Passengers fell onto tracks: 8Deaths by suicide: 4In 2026, two suicide-related incidents were reported in July, including the fatal Huskur Road Metro Station incident.Platform screen doorsThe latest death has once again revived the long-standing demand for the installation of platform screen doors, which create a physical barrier between passengers and the tracks and open only when trains arrive.However, BMRCL has no immediate plans to install PSDs across its 96-km operational Metro network. Officials have maintained that retrofitting existing stations with platform screen doors is technically challenging as it would require extensive structural modifications, integration with signalling systems and precise alignment with train doors.An official said, “It would be technically challenging and the cost of upgrading all operational stations is substantial and is therefore not being considered at present.”Instead, BMRCL has introduced steel safety barricades at several high-footfall stations, including Majestic Interchange, M.G. Road, Indiranagar, Benniganahalli and RV Road, to discourage passengers from entering the track area while allowing safe boarding and alighting.Looking ahead, the Metro corporation has proposed installing platform screen doors at 177 stations, including existing operational stations, as part of the Detailed Project Report for the proposed Hebbal–Sarjapur Metro corridor (Phase 3A). The proposal is currently awaiting approval from the Union Government.(If you are in di

Influenza or flu cases and specifically influenza A (H1N1) has become rampant this season across the State and it has been claiming many lives too, prompting health officials to reiterate the warning on maintaining respiratory hygiene, including masking and protecting vulnerable groups from infection.The State has so far reported 4,405 cases of influenza and 49 deaths and going by the trend, the case load could exceed that of last year. On Tuesday four influenza deaths, three of which were H1N1, were reported from Thiruvananthapuram and all persons were in the 55 -85 age group.Surveillance of all influenza-like illnesses and severe acute respiratory infections has been intensified across districts and the treatment protocol and guidelines have been revisited.Stay at homeThe Health department has advised people not to ignore common cold and to stay home with plenty of fluids and supportive care. Oseltamivir is an effective antiviral against H1N1 and those considered to be at high risk should seek doctor’s advice and start the drug immediately.Elderly, people with comorbidities such as diabetes, hypertension, asthma, cardiovascular problems and renal issues, those with immuno compromising diseases such as cancer, pregnant women and young children are considered to be the high-risk or vulnerable group.They need to be careful about the common cold and respiratory infection and should seek professional help if there are no signs of the illness resolving.Influenza is a serious disease for older adults, with increased severity of infection and greater risk for hospitalisation and death. In older adults, the disease can be enhanced due to multiple factors including existing comorbidities, impaired lung function and dysregulated immune responses that occur with even with healthy ageing.Fewer clinical signsDoctors said that older individuals often experience fewer clinical signs and symptoms of classical influenza infection while also experiencing more severe complications of the disease.Even when death is avoided, older adults have an increased risk for secondary complications like bacterial pneumonia, which can lead to serious morbidities.In general, annual flu vaccination is the best way to prevent influenza but protection can vary widely from person to person. People in the high-risk group might be advised preventive vaccination but flu vaccination should not give one a false sense of security. Because flu vaccines do not protect against infection and illness caused by other viruses that can also cause serious flu-like illness. Published - July 16, 2026 08:37 pm IST

With three people testing positive for shigellosis following a suspected food poisoning incident at a hotel in Kochi, the Health department has called for safe food habits.District Medical Officer (DMO) Dr. R. Shahirsha said three people who had sought medical help had been discharged. Shigella cases were reported in patients from Ponnurunni, Malayidamthuruth, and Nettoor on July 15.Maintaining that that the disease is not fatal and that the public need not panic, he said that people should follow adequate food safety measures.Among the 15 samples sent for testing, three have returned positive. Food samples taken from the hotel have been sent for testing, and the results are awaited, the DMO said.A first information report (FIR) was registered against the eatery following a complaint by Tony Peter, a Ponnurunni native. “We ordered food from the restaurant on Friday [July 10, 2026], and by Saturday [July 11, 2026], we fell sick and had to seek medical help. Along with my children, my brother’s children were also admitted to hospital. While we were at the hospital, a few more people who fell ill after consuming food from the eatery were admitted. Subsequently, the hospital alerted the authorities,” said Mr. Peter. Meanwhile, the family’s samples tested negative for Shigella bacteria.A total of 12 suspected and 79 confirmed cases of Shigella were registered in the State in July. One death was also recorded. Eight deaths have been recorded so far this year across the State. Published - July 17, 2026 12:43 am IST