Date:05/05/2005 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2005/05/05/stories/2005050513960400.htm

New Delhi

Meningitis claims another victim

Staff Reporter

Number of cases rises to 51; DMA sets up helpline WHO recommends that all healthcare workers, relatives and attendants, who have been in close contact with patients, should be vaccinated

NEW DELHI: Yet another death due to `suspected' meningococcal meningitis was reported at Hindu Rao Hospital here on Wednesday, taking the death toll to 10.

The number of reported cases has also increased to 51 with one more case being reported on Wednesday morning.

In view of the rising number of cases in the city, the World Health Organisation (WHO) has recommended that all healthcare workers, relatives and attendants, who have been in close contact with patients, should be vaccinated.

A final decision on the matter will, however, be taken by the State Health Minister, Yoganand Shastri, at a meeting with the medical superintendents of the city hospitals on Thursday.

The Health Department had on Tuesday ordered a 48-hour isolation of patients reporting with meningococcal meningitis and that ten beds be reserved in every hospital for patients with the symptoms.

Meanwhile, in view of the large number of suspected cases of meningococcal meningitis in the city, the Delhi Medical Association (DMA) on Wednesday announced a helpline for patients and for all the private clinics, hospitals and nursing homes.

Giving details, the DMA president, K.K. Aggarwal, said: "All members of DMA and nursing homes and medical establishment forum have been directed to notify the authorities of all the suspected cases.

The helpline will answer queries of patients and also co-ordinate with private nursing homes and guide them about the course of treatment.

The numbers are 9811090206, 20050140, 9810118256 and 9312273922.''

The DMA has also announced a seminar on the diseases this coming Saturday at DMA Hall in Darya Ganj where an interactive session will be held between experts and family physicians.