Meghalaya issues health advisory after meningococcal infection scare

GUWAHATI

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

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

The February 26 advisory on “meningococcal disease” issued by Joram Beda, Health and Family Welfare Commissioner-Secretary, said the East Khasi Hills District Surveillance Unit has initiated an active epidemiological investigation. “Case investigation, contact tracing, laboratory review, and surveillance strengthening measures are currently underway,” the advisory read.

The government assured the public that the situation is under close monitoring and is under control, with no new suspected cases detected in any other area. It said all necessary public health measures, including identification and monitoring of close contacts and implementation of appropriate preventive interventions, are being carried out as per standard outbreak response protocols.

The government advised people to avoid crowded areas, wear masks in crowded places, practise good respiratory hygiene, and wash their hands regularly with soap and sanitiser. It also asked people to report to the nearest medical facility in cases of sudden high fever, headache, vomiting, rapidly spreading purpuric (purple-coloured spots or patches) rashes, pale limbs at a later stage, and circulatory collapse, shock, and multi-organ failure.

Meanwhile, a Defence spokesperson said there are no fresh cases of suspected meningococcal infection at the ARC. “As a precautionary measure, contacts of the earlier cases have been detained under isolation at the Military Hospital. We have continued with masking and restricted movement protocol,” he said.

The spokesperson also said Army doctors have been coordinating with the Meghalaya Health Department to avert a possible public health issue.

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

Health Department officials said meningococcal infection requires immediate hospital care with antibiotics and is preventable through vaccination.