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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.
EK/MK.
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