Thursday, May 12 2005 19:57 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

New Delhi: Bacterial Meningococcaemia showed no signs of abating in the national capital, killing two more people since last night (May 11, 2005) taking the toll in the disease to 20 and the number of infected persons to 260.

A 15-year old boy died of the disease in Lok Nayak Jai Prakash Hospital here whereas 26 year old lady was reported to have succumbed to the ailment at Lady Hardinge Medical College since last night, MCD's Director of Hospital Administration Dr J N Banavaliker told reporters in New Delhi today (May 12, 2005). At least 18 more cases of suspected Meningococcaemia were reported from various hospitals in the capital since yesterday while eight cases that were earlier included in the probable cases were withdrawn after the health officials found that they did not fit into the definition of the disease, he said.

Banavaliker, however, said the disease had not attained epidemic form.

"According to WHO guidelines, there should be 15 confirmed cases per one lakh population before we call it an epidemic. The number was far less and downfall of the outbreak has already started," he said.

Attributing the rise in the number of cases this year to "unusual" he said, "Comparative low temperature in the month of May this year also contributed in enhancing viability of the bacteria."

In 2002 there were 397 suspected Meningococcaemia cases with 50 deaths while 325 cases and 48 deaths were reported in 2003. But the cases, unlike this year, were evenly distributed throughout the year, Banavaliker said.