37 dead, Meghalaya rushes team to handle meningitis menace

Health and Family Welfare Minister Advisor Pariong told the state Assembly on Monday that 226 cases of meningococcal meningitis had been detected in five districts of the state, and 37 had succumbed to the disease.

Pariong said most of the cases were detected in East Khasi and Jaintia Hills districts and a few cases were reported from East Garo Hills, West Khasi Hills and Ri-Bhoi district of the state.

Pariong told the Assembly thatmost of the patients who were diagnosed with meningococcal meningitis were provided with free treatment in Government hospitals. But there were patients who preferred to be treated in private hospitals and nursing homes.

Dr Mihir Goswami, from department of general medicine, North Eastern Indira Gandhi Regional Institute of Health and Medical Science, had earlier told reporters that the institute was fully equipped to treat patients of meningococcal meningitis.

He said meningococcal meningitis was a communicable disease and, if detected early, could be cured. Dr Goswami said, medical and paramedical staff in the institute were also taking preventive measures by taking antibiotics after contact with the patients.