Meghalaya issues health advisory after meningococcal infection scare

GUWAHATI

Days after two Agniveer trainees died of suspected meningococcal bacterial infection at a training center in Shillong, the Meghalaya government has issued an advisory urging people to avoid crowded places and follow health protocols.

One of the more than 30 trainees of the Assam Regimental Center (ARC) died at Shillong Military Hospital a week ago. Another died on February 23, while others in quarantine are under medical observation.

In the “meningococcal disease” advisory dated February 26 issued by the Commissioner-Secretary of Health and Family Welfare Joram Beda, it was stated that the East Khasi Hills District Surveillance Unit had initiated an active epidemiological investigation. “Case investigation, contact tracing, laboratory examination and surveillance strengthening measures are currently continuing,” it was stated in the recommendation text.

The government assured the public that the situation is under close monitoring and under control, with no new suspected cases detected in any other district. It was stated that all necessary public health measures, including the identification and tracing of close contacts and the implementation of appropriate preventive interventions, were carried out in accordance with standard epidemic response protocols.

The government has advised people to avoid crowded areas, wear masks in crowded places, practice good respiratory hygiene and wash their hands regularly with soap and disinfectant. People were also asked to contact the nearest healthcare facility in case of sudden high fever, headache, vomiting, rapidly spreading purpuric (purple colored spots or patches) rash, pale limbs at a later stage and circulatory failure, shock and multiple organ failure.

Meanwhile, a Defense spokesman said there were no new cases of suspected meningococcal infection in the ARC. “For precautionary purposes, contacts of previous cases were detained in isolation at the Military Hospital. We continued the masking and movement restriction protocol,” he said.

The spokesperson also said that Army doctors are coordinating with the Meghalaya Health Department to prevent any possible public health issue.

Meningococcal infection is a serious, rapidly progressive disease caused by the bacteria Neisseria meningitidis, leading to life-threatening meningitis (infection of the lining of the brain) or meningococcemia (blood poisoning). Symptoms include high fever, severe headache, neck stiffness, and a blanching rash.

Health Ministry officials said meningococcal infection requires immediate hospital care with antibiotics and can be prevented through vaccination.