Shillong, Feb 25:The Health Department is awaiting laboratory test results before taking a decision on issuing any standard operating procedures (SOPs) for defence personnel at the Assam Regimental Centre (ARC) in Happy Valley following the reported deaths of two Agniveer trainees due to suspected meningococcal bacterial infection.
Health and Family Welfare Minister Wailadmiki Shylla today said the two deaths did not occur suddenly but over a period of several days. News of the deaths was released yesterday by the Defence Public Relations Officer.
At present, 28 other trainees with suspected meningococcal bacterial infection are admitted to the Military Hospital and are under close medical observation.
Shylla informed that a team from the Health Department has already been deployed at ARC and samples have been sent for testing. He added that individuals who came in contact with the deceased trainees have been quarantined and are presently in stable condition.
According to the minister, one trainee died last week while another passed away on Monday. Both were undergoing treatment at the Military Hospital.
As a precautionary measure, chemoprophylactic doses of the antibiotic ciprofloxacin have been administered to all identified contacts as per established medical protocols. A health advisory has also been issued by 101 HQ.
Background information indicates that the two fatalities occurred due to suspected diplococci septicaemia – an uncommon but rapidly progressive and potentially fatal infection. Though confirmatory laboratory reports are awaited, a species of diplococci, possibly Neisseria or Pneumococcus, is suspected to be the causative organism.
The infection is believed to spread through respiratory droplets via coughing, sneezing or close living contact, with an incubation period of two to ten days, commonly three to four days. Clinical features may include sudden high fever, headache, vomiting, rapidly spreading purpuric rash, pale extremities in later stages and, in severe cases, circulatory collapse, shock and multi-organ failure.
Meningococcal disease remains endemic in India and sporadic cases continue to be reported across the country. Armed forces personnel are considered at higher risk due to close-quarter living conditions, shared facilities and intensive training environments.
As part of immediate preventive measures at the unit level, authorities have instituted isolation and surveillance protocols. Mass gatherings have been suspended until further orders and inter-company mixing for training and social interaction has been restricted.
