ASIA/INDIA - Meningitis is still mortal for 10% of those affected in the world. Rising number of cases in New Delhi. India lacks 70% of the vaccine necessary to fight the outbreak.

Rome (Fides Service) - With 33 new confirmed cases of meningitis in 48 hours fear of an epidemic grows in the capital of India, New Delhi. In and around the city 174 people have been admitted to hospital. Of these 43 have already been sent home and 116 are still receiving treatment in one of New Delhi’s medical centres and 15 have died. According to local health ministry sources the country lacks circa 70% of the vaccine necessary to fight the outbreak.
India’s National Infective Diseases Institute has issued information on how to prevent the disease from spreading and New Delhi city council has asked hospitals to keep meningitis patients separate from others and to issue masks and preventative treatment to family members.
Meningitis due to meningococco is a bacterial infection of the membrane which surrounds the brain, contagion occurs via air, it can be epidemic and cause death, particularly in minors.
Although prevention is simple, treatment of patients is complicated and, although effective, patients can be left with serious neurological damage.
(AP) (10/5/2005 Agenzia Fides; Righe:18; Parole:214)