Shillong(Meghalaya), Jan 29 : Authorities in Meghalaya are trying to combat the outbreak of meningitis fever.

An increase in the patients has made the National Institute of Communicable Diseases (NICD) recommend to the State government to strengthen surveillance for early detection and treatment of those affected.

After visiting the affected areas the team of experts said that most of the meningitis fever cases have been reported from slum areas where the people are forced to live in unhygienic conditions.

The State health authorities said that control rooms have been set up in all the districts to increase surveillance.

"We are trying our best to combat this disease by strengthening the surveillance of the cases and we have set up the control rooms in all the districts," said A. Kynjing, Director of Health, Shillong.

The authorities added that they were taking all needed steps to check the outbreak of the disease while doctors are being trained to treat the patients. Meningitis starts with fever, headache, body pain and finally affects the brain.

Bacteria and viruses that cause meningitis are fairly common and are generally associated with other routine illnesses like fever and ear infections.

A major epidemic in India had occurred in 1986 with 686 deaths and over 7,400 reported cases. (ANI)