Meningococcal Epidemic in Delhi??

michellew · Oct 11th, 2006, 05:02

Hi all!

This is my first post on IM but have made great use of this site in planning my family's first trip to India at the end of November.

Anyway, we visited a travel clinic the other day and the doctor advised us of abovementioned epidemic and recommended an appropriate vaccine. Our own local doctor advised us she had never had a request from anyone travelling to India for such a vaccine and to be careful that we don't become victims of scaremongering!

So to IM I come and ask about this epidemic. Anyone who is living in Delhi aware of it?

Thanks for any info!

Nick-H · Oct 11th, 2006, 15:27

Welcome to IM

As you've probably seen, there is plenty of discussion on IM at the moment of the Dengue and Chickungunya health scares that are currently going on...

I'm not clear what you mean... do you mean meningitis? or are you talking strains of malaria?

michellew · Oct 11th, 2006, 16:39

Yes I guess I do mean meningitis-Dr called it the above name. I know meningitis is around but wonder about its status as an epidemic??

In NZ a particular strain of meningitis was considered an epidemic but the acutal amount of people affected was really quite small.

Perhaps I should change the title!

Have also been following the dengue fever thread but have not been put off so far.

Have just been speaking to my parents who are incredibly seasoned travellers - Dad was a marine engineer and has been just about every ship's port in the world -including India many times. They were quite suspicious of some so called travel clinics and pointed out they are businesses and profit is a big motivation to reccommending lots of expensive vaccinations.

Not wanting to offend anyone tho'

It all gets quite confusing for a newbie!

Compounded by the fact we are travelling with our 8 year old daugher.

Nick-H · Oct 11th, 2006, 17:21

It seems that one can catch menengitis anywhere these days. I haven't heard of an epedemic since the last time I heard of it in UK! But I'm a long way away from Delhi.

jyotirmoy · Oct 11th, 2006, 17:26

No I am not aware of this epidemic. The Dengue menace ends by october end and since the OP is coming in end November no much worry.
Good luck & enjoy Delhi

kullukid · Oct 11th, 2006, 17:44

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nick-H

It seems that one can catch menengitis anywhere these days. I haven't heard of an epedemic since the last time I heard of it in UK! But I'm a long way away from Delhi.

Nick, just to jog your fading memory,must be old age!

Here's a reminder there was an outbreak of it in Delhi last year, around 50 people died of it,but from what i could make out it was predominantly active in some of the poorer areas of Delhi & never really became a problem in the centre,however you only need some local to cough in your face & you're a GONNA!

Here's some links:

new killer disease in delhi
meningococcal disease in Delhi

Nick-H · Oct 11th, 2006, 19:11

Last year.

It's as much as I can do to keep last week in mind!

Thanks for the reminder. So it looks like something not to worry about this year?

I can recall London getting very scared about it: unlike the tropical diseases it seems to be everywhere.

SarahM · Oct 11th, 2006, 21:35

Hi

Dont confuse mennigococcol menigitis with malaria or dengue it is totally different virus (although mennigitis can happened as a seondary problem with malaria).

I have had mennigococcol mennigitis vaccination but then i am volunteering and am in diret contact with patients who are likely to be exposed to the virus.

If you have children you may well find that they have been already vaccinanted againist mennigitis within the school vaccination program.

Realistically you will probabily find that the risk is low although i think it is a vaccination that either the CDC or WHO website suggest depending on travelling circumstances. It may be worth checking their websites and then make an imformaed decision after looking at the data thats relevant to you.

Hope this helps, it gets confusing as what the real risks are and what precautions you should take.

I must admit i am currently in Calcutta and was going to head Dehli way, and probabily will still do so but it makes you think!

Cheers Sarah

michellew · Oct 12th, 2006, 08:02

Thanks all,

Have since investigated WHO site and CDM ?? (I think that's it) Meningitis was not mentioned as a concern since 2003 Dengue and Chickungunja (sp.?) were written up but prevention is the only solution there. Am somewhat relieved as I hate injections. I am just a big sissy!

My daughter puts me to shame!! She has had a meningitis vaccination but that is only against our specific NZ variety apparently.
Anyway countdown continues!

Oct 11th, 2006, 05:02	#1
michellew Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: New Zealand Posts: 22	Meningococcal Epidemic in Delhi?? Hi all! This is my first post on IM but have made great use of this site in planning my family's first trip to India at the end of November. Anyway, we visited a travel clinic the other day and the doctor advised us of abovementioned epidemic and recommended an appropriate vaccine. Our own local doctor advised us she had never had a request from anyone travelling to India for such a vaccine and to be careful that we don't become victims of scaremongering! So to IM I come and ask about this epidemic. Anyone who is living in Delhi aware of it? Thanks for any info!

Oct 11th, 2006, 15:27	#2
Nick-H Loud-mouthed, Noisy Bird Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Chennai, India Posts: 27,692	Welcome to IM As you've probably seen, there is plenty of discussion on IM at the moment of the Dengue and Chickungunya health scares that are currently going on... I'm not clear what you mean... do you mean meningitis? or are you talking strains of malaria? __________________ . Just one member of the IndiaMike Mod Team

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Oct 11th, 2006, 16:39	#3
michellew Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: New Zealand Posts: 22	Yes I guess I do mean meningitis-Dr called it the above name. I know meningitis is around but wonder about its status as an epidemic?? In NZ a particular strain of meningitis was considered an epidemic but the acutal amount of people affected was really quite small. Perhaps I should change the title! Have also been following the dengue fever thread but have not been put off so far. Have just been speaking to my parents who are incredibly seasoned travellers - Dad was a marine engineer and has been just about every ship's port in the world -including India many times. They were quite suspicious of some so called travel clinics and pointed out they are businesses and profit is a big motivation to reccommending lots of expensive vaccinations. Not wanting to offend anyone tho' It all gets quite confusing for a newbie! Compounded by the fact we are travelling with our 8 year old daugher.

Oct 11th, 2006, 17:21	#4
Nick-H Loud-mouthed, Noisy Bird Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Chennai, India Posts: 27,692	It seems that one can catch menengitis anywhere these days. I haven't heard of an epedemic since the last time I heard of it in UK! But I'm a long way away from Delhi.

Oct 11th, 2006, 17:26	#5
jyotirmoy Maha Guru Member Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: India Posts: 4,659	No I am not aware of this epidemic. The Dengue menace ends by october end and since the OP is coming in end November no much worry. Good luck & enjoy Delhi

Oct 11th, 2006, 19:11	#7
Nick-H Loud-mouthed, Noisy Bird Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Chennai, India Posts: 27,692	Last year. It's as much as I can do to keep last week in mind! Thanks for the reminder. So it looks like something not to worry about this year? I can recall London getting very scared about it: unlike the tropical diseases it seems to be everywhere.

Oct 11th, 2006, 21:35	#8
SarahM Member Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Budapest (temp), Sydney, UK Posts: 46	Hi Dont confuse mennigococcol menigitis with malaria or dengue it is totally different virus (although mennigitis can happened as a seondary problem with malaria). I have had mennigococcol mennigitis vaccination but then i am volunteering and am in diret contact with patients who are likely to be exposed to the virus. If you have children you may well find that they have been already vaccinanted againist mennigitis within the school vaccination program. Realistically you will probabily find that the risk is low although i think it is a vaccination that either the CDC or WHO website suggest depending on travelling circumstances. It may be worth checking their websites and then make an imformaed decision after looking at the data thats relevant to you. Hope this helps, it gets confusing as what the real risks are and what precautions you should take. I must admit i am currently in Calcutta and was going to head Dehli way, and probabily will still do so but it makes you think! Cheers Sarah

Oct 12th, 2006, 08:02	#9
michellew Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: New Zealand Posts: 22	Thanks all, Have since investigated WHO site and CDM ?? (I think that's it) Meningitis was not mentioned as a concern since 2003 Dengue and Chickungunja (sp.?) were written up but prevention is the only solution there. Am somewhat relieved as I hate injections. I am just a big sissy! My daughter puts me to shame!! She has had a meningitis vaccination but that is only against our specific NZ variety apparently. Anyway countdown continues!

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