Thrissur: Health minister K Muraleedharan has said that all the thattukadas (streetside eateries) which are not adhering to hygiene standards will be closed down, in the wake of the Shigella outbreak in some parts of the state."Lack of hygiene in food and water is a major factor for contracting Shigella. Therefore, it is important to ensure cleanliness in all the eateries, and several thattukadas are not reportedly maintaining proper hygienic standards. The food safety department has been asked to conduct thorough inspections of all eateries. Any thattukada found to be violating hygiene standards will be closed down and there will be no leniency towards them,’’ Muraleedharan said in Thrissur on Monday.He said 21 patients with symptoms similar to Shigella have been admitted to the taluk hospital at Kalpetta in Wayanad. Of them, two have already tested positive for the disease. Another four patients are under observation there. “Some patients have sought treatment in private hospitals. But all the patients are being given the care given to Shigella patients. Health officials are tracking even those patients who have been discharged from hospitals at their homes for ensuring appropriate follow up measures,” Muraleedharan said.“There is no need for panic, the situation is under control now. Teams of medical personnel under additional director (public health) are now stationed in Wayanad,’’ he added.The minister said Shigella infection can assume serious dimensions in the case of children below the age of five, and is less dangerous among children above five. All the patients currently in the hospital are above five years of age, he said. Replying to questions, Muraleedharan disclosed that supply of medicines have been ensured in the hospitals in the disease-prone areas. There is also no manpower shortage. But the minister conceded that there is a statewide issue of delays in payments to the medical suppliers.“The issue has been brought to the attention of the chief minister and efforts are on to address the problem at the earliest,’’ he said. He said he would be visiting Wayanad on Tuesday to strengthen the measures for containing the Shigella outbreak. The DMOs of all the districts have been directed to take steps to avert the spread of Shigella. A four-year-old girl from Thalakkulathur, in Kozhikode district had died after getting infected by Shigella on Saturday.