DOH: No concentration of meningo cases

Health Secretary Francisco Duque III said yesterday that there have been no significant increase in the number of meningococcemia cases anywhere in the country despite the cold weather.

Duque noted there have been some "sporadic" cases, but these should not be a cause for alarm. "There is no concentration of meningo cases. We hope we can keep it that way."

Late last year, the country was gripped with a "meningo scare" following an increase of cases in Baguio City and Mt. Province in December. The outbreak was blamed on the cold climate and the crowding of people.

This prompted the Department of Health (DOH) and local health units there to put up command posts in affected areas, in coordination with experts from the World Health Organization.

The move was meant to prevent the spread of meningo, which is caused by the neisseria meningitides bacteria. This could be transmitted by nose and throat discharges.

The disease is characterized by sudden onset of fever, headache, nausea, vomiting, stiff neck and map-like rashes. Symptoms usually develop two to 10 days after a person acquired the bacteria and it becomes fatal when a victim develops severe shock.

The DOH urged the public to be vigilant against the disease by avoiding practices that might expose them to the bacteria.

According to Dr. Luningning Villa, program manager of the DOH’s Emerging Diseases Unit, one should avoid cigarette, stress and alcohol because these might weaken their immune system. "We should always make sure that we have enough sleep and take vitamins and healthy food."

Villa said that crowded places should also be avoided. "I hope we’ll make it a habit to cover our nose and mouth when sneezing and coughing.