India
Overview of Meningitis Outbreak in Delhi
By Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, India
May 8, 2005, 21:02

The Delhi Government officials informed the meeting that so far 111 cases have been reported and there have been 15 deaths since the disease started in the Capital last week.

Timeline of Menigitis Epidemic in New Delhi

Friday, May 06, 2005

The Secretary, Health and Family Welfare, Shri P.K. Hota today reviewed the situation arising out of the Meningococcal disease in Delhi with senior Delhi Government officials, MCD as well as the Director General of Health Services, NICD, ICMR and WHO. The Delhi Government officials informed the meeting that so far 111 cases have been reported and there have been 15 deaths since the disease started in the Capital last week.

The Secretary also took stock of the vaccine situation. More vials of the vaccine which are available with some pharmaceutical companies are being made available to the Delhi Government to meet any shortage. The technical guidelines relating to the disease issued by the WHO was also reviewed in the meeting. The MCD authorities informed the meeting that as per the MCD guidelines Meningococcemia was one of the diseases to be reported to the municipal authorities by all medical practitioners and instructions have been issued for compliance.

Thursday, May 05, 2005

In the last 24 hours, 12 more suspected cases of Meningococcemia have been reported with one more death taking the total to 10 deaths since the disease was noticed last Friday. All major hospitals of the Central and the State Government of NCT of Delhi are fully equipped to treat the patients showing symptoms of the disease.

All hospitals and private practitioners have been advised to notify suspected cases to the Municipal Corporation of Delhi. Public have been advised not to panic since the disease is amenable to antibiotic treatment and there is sufficient stock of medicines.

Thursday, May 05, 2005

In the last 24 hours, 12 more suspected cases of Meningococcemia have been reported with one more death taking the total to 10 deaths since the disease was noticed last Friday. All major hospitals of the Central and the State Government of NCT of Delhi are fully equipped to treat the patients showing symptoms of the disease.

All hospitals and private practitioners have been advised to notify suspected cases to the Municipal Corporation of Delhi. Public have been advised not to panic since the disease is amenable to antibiotic treatment and there is sufficient stock of medicines.

Wenesday, May 04, 2005

A total of 51 clinically suspected cases of Menigococcal disease have been reported from various hospitals in Delhi since 29th March, 2005. Of these 9 patients have died. Most of the cases are from the crowded areas of the walled city. The National Institute of Communicable Diseases (NICD) has confirmed menigococcal etiology in 5 out of the 11 samples tested.

The public is advised to report to the nearest health facility as soon as possible if there is a sudden rise of high fever along with headache, vomiting, neck pain or skin rashes. Hospitals in Delhi as well as private practitioners are being advised to notify suspected cases to the Medical Officer, Municipal Corporation of Delhi (Tele No.23936101). There is no need of panic since the disease is amenable to antibiotic treatment. Hospitals are fully equipped to treat the cases and there is sufficient stock of medicines.

A control room has been set up at NICD (Tele No.23981289) to receive clinical samples round the clock. Guidelines for prevention of disease transmission including chemoprophylaxis have been provided to the concerned state health authorities in consultation with WHO.

Tuesday, May 03, 2005

The National Institute of Communicable Diseases (NICD) has confirmed Menigococcal (sero group A) etiology in three out of the eight samples collected from the hospitals in Delhi. A three member team of experts headed by Professor A.K. Dutta, Department of Pediatrics of Kalawati Saran Children Hospital yesterday took stock of the situation after visiting the hospitals in Delhi. The team found that a total of 42 clinically suspected cases of Menigococcal disease had been reported since Friday last. Of these eight patients have died. Most of the suspected cases are from the crowded areas of the walled city. The NICD has provided prevention and control guidelines to various hospitals and is continuously monitoring the situation.

The Director General of Health Services, Dr. S.P. Aggarwal today reviewed the situation arising out the disease here with the representatives of the Government of NCT of Delhi, ICMR, NICD, Central Government hospitals and experts from WHO. In the meeting, the participants informed the Ministry that the surveillance system for early reporting of the cases is being strengthened. Hospitals are fully equipped to treat the cases and there is sufficient stock of medicines. Facilities for rapid diagnosis of the disease are available at NICD and at all major hospitals. Experts at the meeting have advised that there is no need for panic since the disease is amenable to antibiotic treatment.

Meanwhile, the public are advised to report to the doctor at the earliest if there is a sudden rise in high fever along with headache, vomiting, neck pain or skin rashes.

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