New Delhi, March 7 (IANS) The deadly meningitis has affected at least 74 people in Delhi this year and 13 have lost their battle against the disease that affects the brain, Delhi Health Minister Yoganand Shastri said Friday. Shastri said these cases were reported in the first two months of the year. Of the total deaths, six were residents of Delhi and the rest were those who had come from neighbouring states for treatment.

“We are trying our best to contain the problem. All hospitals have been supplied vaccines and public awareness advertisements have been given in newspapers,” the minister said after a review meeting on meningitis.

He said the government was taking all preventive steps to keep a check on the spread of the disease. Shastri said all big government hospitals have been asked to take preventive measures and report the cases registered.

He has also asked health officials of civic bodies to take necessary steps to check dengue, distribute chlorine tablets and restrict the sale of open fruits and sugarcane juice in the city.

The minister held the meeting in the face of young construction workers falling unconscious and talking abnormally as their unhygienic and cramped living conditions have led to an outbreak of deadly meningitis at the Commonwealth Games Village in east Delhi.

The upcoming complex will house nearly 8,500 athletes and officials from across the world during the Delhi Commonwealth Games 2010.

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.