Meningococcal Bacterial Infection:
The Meghalaya has issued a high-level health advisory following the death of two Agniveer trainees due to suspected meningococcal bacterial infection at the Assam Regimental Centre (ARC) in Shillong.
- The disease is a severe, rapidly progressing infection caused by the bacterium Neisseria meningitidis.
- The meningococcal infection primarily leads to meningitis (inflammation of the brain and spinal cord lining) or meningococcemia (a life-threatening blood infection/sepsis).
- Spreads through direct contact with nose/throat discharges from infected individuals.
- More common in infants under 5, teenagers, young adults (16–23), and people in crowded settings like college dorms or military barracks.
- Immediate treatment with antibiotics is crucial to reduce mortality, which is roughly 10%–15% even with care.
- The World Health Organization (WHO) recommended meningitis vaccine, Men5CV, is the first conjugate vaccine to protect against the five main causes of meningococcal meningitis.
