DOH eyes meningococcemia in death of one-year-old girl

MANILA, Philippines — A one-year-old girl who exhibited signs of meningococcemia died at the Valenzuela Emergency Hospital on Monday, the Department of Health (DOH) reported yesterday. 

The girl, a resident of Barangay Bancal in Meycauayan, Bulacan, was taken to the hospital after she showed symptoms of meningococcemia such as high fever, diarrhea and rashes.

As a safety precaution, the hospital conducted fumigation, ultraviolet light and disinfection, Health Undersecretary Eric Domingo said.

He said doctors have obtained blood samples from the patient to determine the cause of her death. 

Domingo said they are awaiting the results of the tests, but expressed belief that the girl died of meningococcemia.

“Clinically, yes it seems like a case of meningococcemia,” he said in a press briefing at Malacañang.

“But there are no new cases reported. The transmission is being checked. The hospital has been disinfected and cleaned,” he added.

Domingo said the DOH Epidemiology Bureau is tracing all those who had close contact with the patient.

The Valenzuela City government called on the public not to panic, saying the cause of the patient’s death remains to be confirmed.

City officials said hospital staff on duty at the time and the girl’s parents were given prophylactic antibiotics.

Meningococcemia is caused by a common bacteria called Neisseria meningitidis.

At least 200 cases of meningococcemia are recorded every year in the Philippines, according to the DOH. – Marc Jayson Cayabyab