NEW DELHI: At least 21 people have died from an outbreak of rare bacterial meningitis in the Indian capital, a health official said Saturday. The number of infections reported in and around New Delhi this month rose to 278 with the addition of 17 new cases Friday, said a municipal health office spokesman, who declined to be named.

On Tuesday, Indian Health Minister A. Ramadoss said 16 people had died but there was no threat of a meningitis and meningococcemia epidemic. He assured parliament that efforts were under way to check any further spread of the illness.

The bacteria which causes the disease infects the fluid surrounding the brain and the spinal cord. It is spread by direct contact with droplets from the nose and mouth of infected people.—AFP