MALOLOS CITY, Philippines – Officials in Bulacan rushed to contain an incident of meningococcemia in San Jose del Monte City by giving prophylaxis medicine to over 100 residents after a 12-year-old boy died and was cremated on Saturday.
However, Dr. Joycelyn Gomez, the provincial public health officer said that the incident remains as suspect due to the fact that no laboratory test was conducted to isolate neiserria meningitides bacteria from the blood of the victim.
“We advise residents to remain calm because there is nothing to be afraid of,” said Gomez in an interview here yesterday morning.
She said that meningococcemia is caused by bacteria that infects the blood and is not airborne like other diseases caused by a virus like the AH1N1 flu.
Gomez said that the provincial government of Bulacan and the city government of SJDM pooled resources together to contain the situation.
They conducted disinfection in the immediate area where the victim moved before he died and gave prophylaxis medicines to people who came near or had contact with the victim.
“The immediate family of the victims and some 87 students were immediately given prophylaxis medicine. There are those that showed symptoms of fever but has recovered as of yesterday,” she said.
Gomez reminded local residents to maintain cleanliness and personal hygiene to avoid contracting the disease as it thrives in dirty environment.
Health officials from SJDM City like Marciana Muldong said that as early as Aug. 9, a 12-year-old boy suffered from fever.
He was able to attend his classes at Nieto Elementary School located at Barangay Muzon in the city of SJDM.
However, the victim later vomited phlegm and blood and was rushed to East Avenue Medical Center.
He was later transferred to San Lazaro Hospital where he died on Aug. 11 and was cremated on Saturday.