Meningo patient dies at VSMMC?

CEBU, Philippines - A 17-year-old boy who died Saturday a day after he was rushed to the hospital is being tested for possible meningococcemia.

The test result will be known tomorrow.

“Namatay sa Sotto (Vicente Sotto Medical Center) ang pasyente. Nahimuan na ni og laboratory tests. Mahibaw-an ang resulta sa blood culture and sensitivity after five days which means makuha nato by Wednesday,” Department of Health Central Visayas Director Jaime Bernadas said.

 The victim, reportedly brought to VSMMC Friday after having fever, was from Mandaue City.

 VSMMC records showed that the patient’s cause of death was due to “(1) cardiopulmonary arrest, (2) meningococcemia suspect, and (3) septic shock secondary to meningococcemia suspect.”

Despite this, Bernadas constantly assures the public that there is no need to panic because while it is contagious via respiratory droplets, health authorities are doing its job to contain its spread especially to those in direct contact with the patient suspected to have died of meningococcemia.

“Naghatag na kitag profilaxis sa community niya sa Canduman, Mandaue. Nag-conduct na pud ta ug investigation sa pagkakaron in coordination with the local government unit involved. Dili angay mahadlok. Ang importante mahatagan na ug profilaxis labi na ang extreme ages nga dali mataptan sama sa tiguwang ug mga bata,” the DOH 7 chief explained.

Meningococcemia is a bacterial infection of the blood due to Neisseria meningitides, the same bacterium famous for causing meningococcal meningitis, which may also be present in meningococcemia.

Its symptoms include fever, headache, nausea, and a rash consisting of small spots.

Bernadas said that patients who die of meningococcemia suspect is advised to be buried immediately to prevent the spread of bacteria. (FREEMAN)