CEBU, Philippines – A 66-year-old woman from a northern town of Cebu died of meningococcemia at the Vicente Sotto Memorial Medical Center last Monday.
Anesia Hermoso of barangay Luyang, Carmen was diagnosed with meningococcemia and died a few hours after her admission at the VSMMC, said municipal nurse Carmen Villamor.
Villamor, in an interview over radio station dyLA, said Hermoso was rushed to the hospital by her family after they noticed dark and red spots on her body.
She was first taken to the district hospital in Danao City on Monday, but was transferred to VSMMC in the evening of that same day. However, she died shortly before midnight that day.
Department of Health regional director Susana Madarieta however said they could not confirm whether the case was indeed meningococcemia because the hospital failed to get samples from the patient for laboratory tests, but, she said the symptoms were that of meningococcemia.
To test for the disease, technicians needed to do skin scraping, extraction of spinal fluid and blood samples.
Madarieta said whether it was meningococcemia or not, the public has nothing to worry about because it is not the first time in Cebu. She said the DOH has recorded an average of three to five meningococcemia cases every year.
Although, they have not confirmed that it was a case of meningococcemia, Madarieta said they have taken the necessary precautions. She said the medical personnel who were in close contact with Hermoso were given antibiotics.
Hermoso was also buried immediately as part of the precautionary measures to prevent the spread of the bacteria.
Madarieta said that meningococcemia is caused by bacterial infection which could be gotten from a person infected with the bacteria. It is often caught in crowded places, she said.
She said it is very fatal that a person infected could die within one to two days. Meningococcemia is often characterized with fever and cough. Rashes and dark spots on the skin are also visible.
According to Dr. Madarieta, the bacteria causing the disease is not only located in specific areas, it is present anywhere, which explains sporadic cases of the disease.
The people most vulnerable to meningococcemia are those with weak immune systems, particularly those in the younger and older age groups.
“Let us not be complacent since it is the summer months...If the first signs of fever appear, have yourself checked by the doctor,” said Dr. Madarieta.
To avoid contracting the bacteria, she suggests a healthy lifestyle through regular exercise, proper diet and lots of fluid intake. She added that meningococcemia is not a rare case and that there are about three to five cases reported each year. — with Quennie Rose P. Olaño, Karen Grace H. Yasi/NLQ (THE FREEMAN)