No cause for meningo alarm in La Carlota

BACOLOD CITY — The government of La Carlota City, 43.5 kilometers away from here, had taken all precautions even before the death of an eight-year-old boy confirmed to be a meningococcemia case.

Mayor Jeffrey Ferrer said there is no cause for alarm because the city health office has instituted all precautionary measures to prevent the spread of the disease.

He said the family and others who had been in close contact with the victim, who died last Sept. 17 at the Corazon Locsin Montelibano Memorial Regional Hospital here, were given medication and were asked to remain in their respective homes.

Dr. Luisa Efren, provincial health officer, said initial results of tests on the victim’s blood culture showed that he was "primarily positive for Neisseria meningitides."

However, final reconfirmation and revalidation is being awaited from the Research Institute for Tropical Medicine. — Antonieta Lopez