Brain fever: No need to panic says Delhi Government

New Delhi, Mar 10 (UNI) The Delhi Government today sought to downplay the death of 16 people due to brain fever, saying there was nothing alarming about the situation.

''Meningococcemia disease or brain fever in Delhi is totally under control. There is no need to panic, We are monitoring the situation very closely,'' MCD Director (Health) K N Tewari said.

Asserting that only 171 cases of meningococcemia disease had been confirmed in Delhi since December 2005 till today, he said the prevailing climatic conditions were the main reason for the rising numbers.

He said the disease would subside in summer as extreme temperatures did not favour its incubation.

''The frequency of the diseases, caused by bacteria, is more because it has not been eradicated... The figure includes private, and government hospitals as well as nursing homes,'' he added.

Brain fever is characterised by fever, headache, stiff neck, nausea and severe rash on the limbs. The infection affects the membrane around the brain.

The MCD official said the numbers also include patients from Haryana, Punjab and Uttar Pradesh.

''Our transit population is very vast... Delhi Health Services caters to people Rajasthan, Haryana and even Uttaranchal besides the NCR region,'' he added.

Advising people to get immediate medical attention for the potentially fatal condition, Dr Tewari said people who come in close contact of an infected person were at risk of contracting the disease.

''People who live in close contact with the infected person must be careful particularly family members... and patients must be treated in early stages,'' he said, asking people to avoid over crowded places and dirty surroundings.

People must ensure proper ventilation and sanitation around then, he added.

Last year, around 214 brain fever cases were reported between April and June.

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