Madarieta: No cause for alarm

CEBU, Philippines - The Department of Health in Central Visayas has cautioned the public against overreacting to a reported case of meningococcemia in Mandaue City.

DOH-7 director Su-sana Madarieta said that there is no cause for alarm in the reported death of a two-year-old because the case was isolated and that they have yet to receive an official report about it.

The victim was taken to a private hospital in Mandaue City last November 2 and died a day after he was admitted. He was diagnosed to have meningococcemia. The boy’s body however was immediately cremated on the same day he died.

Madarieta said they are still conducting investigation into the incident. She said the hospital where the patient was admitted has not submitted an official report yet.

“Wala pa na na-report sa amoa nga case but no cause for alarm kay dili man clustered,” Madarietta explained.

Madarieta said that meningococcemia is a potentially life-threatening infection of the bloodstream, caused by bacteria called the Neisseria meningitidis. It can be passed on from one person to another via respiratory droplets, and those within close contact of a patient diagnosed with meningococcemia are at high risk of contracting the disease.

Prophylaxis treatment for persons exposed to a patient with meningococcemia, such as taking antibiotics, is usually recommended by doctors, Madarieta said.

Madarieta called on the public to be vigilant and seek early treatment when these symptoms persist for more than three days.

Meningococcal disease typically starts as an upper respiratory tract infection that presents as sore throat, cough, headache and nasal discharge. In some patients, the disease does not progress, but in most, the disease progresses into meningococcemia.

Meningococcemia usually manifests as high fever accompanied by chills, nausea and vomiting, muscle and joint pains, and the appearance of a skin rash.

In some patients with meningococcemia, the bacteria attack the brain resulting in meningitis that manifest as headache, stiffness of the neck, vomiting and various other nervous system signs and symptoms.  (FREEMAN)