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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.
EK/MK.
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