The Department of Health (DOH) has recorded 169 cases of meningococcemia in the country from January to September 2019.
This is higher compared to the same period in 2018 with 162 cases.
The DOH said the authorities are currently coordinating with individuals who have had contact with meningococcemia patients to administer antibiotic prophylaxis on them to prevent the further spread of the disease.
Meningococcemia is a bacterial disease brought by neiserria meningitis.
“It is a bacteria that can invade the nervous system, the covering of the brain in particular and it can also affect the brain proper. And children infection, this is with high mortality rate,” said DOH Sec. Francisco Duque III.
A person may be suspected to have acquired meningococcemia if he shows symptoms of high fever, headache, stiff neck, seizure, coughing, vomiting, developing rashes that eventually turn purple in color, and unstable vital signs.
The DOH advises the public to immediately consult the doctor in case any of these symptoms appear.
The health department said there is an available vaccine against meningococcemia but it is not yet included in the national immunization program of the government.
“Pag-aralan natin because number one, we are not aware of the cause. Okay. We will have to look at the cause and because the attack rate is extremely low very very low. Dengue you have 320 thousand now eh ang meningo 169 cases as of September,” Duque added.
A significant number of meningococcemia patients are children although the disease can be acquired by anyone regardless of age.
The disease can be acquired by breathing in respiratory droplets or direct contact with oral secretion by sharing eating utensils, kissing, etc.
Anyone who is infected by it may become at risk of dying within 24 to 48 hours.
The DOH latest report shows four confirmed cases of meningococcemia in San Lazaro Hospital, and that the DOH epidemiology bureau is still monitoring several suspected cases, particular the one case in Laguna. (from the report of Mai Bermudez) /mbmf
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