Bhopal’s hospitals are seeing seven to eight meningitis cases a day, doctors say — and the numbers are rising as Madhya Pradesh enters its high-risk season. The spike, reported by neurologists in Bhopal, coincides with World Meningitis Day on October 5, spotlighting a growing public health concern in the state. While bacterial and viral forms remain dominant in children under five, tuberculosis-related meningitis is increasingly common among adults, according to Dr TN Dubey, former vice chancellor of the Medical University. Dr ID Chaurasia, ex-medical superintendent at Hamidia Hospital, warned that sudden high fever, stiff neck, and severe headache are red flags, symptoms that demand urgent attention. The disease, which causes inflammation of the brain and spinal cord membranes, tends to surge between September and November, a pattern doctors have observed for years. But this year’s uptick has raised alarms. No official data on statewide incidence has been released yet, but local clinics report consistent patient loads. With no new vaccines or large-scale interventions announced, the focus remains on early detection and awareness. The next few weeks will be critical. Not just for treatment, but for whether the state can act before the numbers climb further.