3 ‘meningo’ deaths bared in C. Luzon

CITY OF SAN FERNANDO, Pampanga — A Department of Health (DOH) official in Central Luzon said three persons have died of suspected meningococcemia in the region since last February.

Dr. Rio Magpantay, the DOH’s assistant regional director, said the first case — a 12-year-old girl — was reported in Barangay Caridad Norte in Llanera, Nueva Ecija.

The second, a 25-year-old man, was reported last May 25 in Barangay Balut in Pilar, Bataan; and the third, an 11-year-old girl, only last Saturday in Barangay San Vicente in Macabebe, Pampanga, Magpantay said.

All three exhibited the symptoms of meningococcemia such as violet rashes and high fever, he added.

Magpantay, however, said there is no cause for alarm since the people who had been in close contact with the victims were given prophylaxis, or medical treatment even before they showed any symptoms. — Ding Cervantes