Samar records 2 suspected meningo deaths

CATBALOGAN CITY, Philippines – Health authorities are on alert after two persons, including a baby, died allegedly from meningococcemia here on Monday.

City health officer Gerarda Tizon yesterday confirmed the deaths and advised the public to immediately seek medical help once they show symptoms of the disease.

Tizon said they were waiting for laboratory results to confirm if the deaths were due to meningococcemia.

She refused to identify the fatalities, whom reports said included an adult from Barangay Mercedes and a six-month-old baby from Poblacion 1, both in this city.

The victims were buried on Monday and yesterday on orders of the regional health office.

Upon hearing the news, residents wore masks and avoided going out for fear of getting infected.

Mayor Stephany Uy-Tan advised the public to stay calm as the cases were yet to be confirmed. She said the results would be available in two days.

Health officials were tracing the relatives of the victims or any persons who had physical contact with them before they died.