Sorsogon girl dies of meningo, says DOH

LEGASPI CITY — The Department of Health (DOH) confirmed yesterday that a two-year-old girl who died Wednesday afternoon at the Bicol Regional Training and Teaching Hospital, succumbed to meningococcemia, a deadly bacterial disease.

Three children — the victim’s two siblings and one relative — are still confined at the Bicol Regional Training and Teaching Hospital.

Dr. Ferchito Avelino, DOH assistant regional director, said the victim hailed from Taytay, Rizal and came to Bulan, Sorsogon with her family for a vacation last April 4.

In Bacolod City, family members of a 14-year-old boy who died of suspected meningococcemia Thursday, have been placed under quarantine.

The boy’s neighbors, within a 30-meter radius of his residence in Barangay Bocana Ilog, have been given Vitamin C and prophylaxis to contain the spread of the disease.

The boy, whose name was withheld, was first brought to the Gumercindo Garcia Memorial Hospital in Kabankalan and later transferred to the Riverside Medical Center in Bacolod City where he died Thursday afternoon, Jose Ma. Valencia, chief of staff of Negros Occidental Gov. Joseph Marañon, said.

Meningococcemia is caused by the spread of the Neisseria meningitides bacteria to the bloodstream. It is usually transmitted through direct contact with discharges from the nose and throat of an infected person through coughing, sneezing, kissing and sharing of food, drinks and utensils.

The disease is characterized by fever, cough, sore throat, map-like rashes, severe skin lesions that may lead to gangrene, stiff neck and convulsion. It becomes fatal when severe shock develops.

Last year, Baguio City and Mt. Province were gripped with panic after several residents got infected with meningococcemia.

Avelino said the two-year-old girl was brought to a health center in Bulan town after suffering from high fever, rashes and restlessness.

Health authorities transferred the patient to the Bicol Regional Training and Teaching Hospital in Legazpi City for observation and diagnostic tests but she eventually died, Avelino said.

The victim was buried within 12 hours and her remains were placed in a sealed coffin. The traditional wake was dispensed with.

Avelino said Dr. Edgar Garcia, the provincial health officer of Sorsogon, and health personnel of Bulan town have placed all those who had been in close contact with the victim, under surveillance. — With Sheila Crisostomo and Antonieta Lopez