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Six brain fever deaths since Nov.

Staff Reporter

Civic body confirms 49 suspected cases

NEW DELHI: The Municipal Corporation of Delhi has confirmed six deaths due to meningococcal diseases in the city since November. While the number of suspected meningococcal cases has crossed 100 according to doctors, figures released by the civic body confirmed 49 cases since November. Municipal Health Officer N. K. Yadav said: "Six persons have died of meningococcal since November and we have 49 confirmed cases from the Capital."

While pointing out that the incidence of meningococcal infection was less compared with last year, Mr. Yadav added: "Any persons with symptoms of the disease should immediately report to a nearby hospital. The disease manifests itself with a sudden onset of fever, severe headache, nausea and vomiting, stiff neck and rashes on skin, which may be accompanied by delirium and coma," said Mr. Yadav.

The MCD figures show that last year the disease peaked in February, recording 134 cases while this year only 19 cases have been recorded.

"Compared with last year the number of cases have fallen. Meningococcal is a bacterial infection and can be manifested as meningococcal meningitis (inflammation of the membranes surrounding the brain and spinal cord) and meningococcemia (presence of bacteria in the blood)," said Mr. Yadav.

The disease is endemic in Delhi and occurs mainly during winter and spring. The bacteria often inhabit the human throat without causing any symptoms or with only local symptoms.

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