Child dies of meningococcemia
MALASIQUI– A two-year-old girl died of meningococcemia in Barangay Bolaoit here, prompting the Provincial Health Office (PHO) to put 39 people who had direct contact with the victim under surveillance.
The victim’s mother said the family hosted a party on January 1 attended by relatives and friends, at which time the child already had a fever and was ill.
Dr. Marlo De Guzman, municipal health officer, said the child was brought to the Municipal Health Office on January 2 at about 9:30 in the morning.
“That time, the child had fever and had developed rashes so I immediately sent them to the Region I Medical Center where several tests were conducted,” De Guzman said.
The child died at the hospital in the morning of January 3.
De Guzman said results of the Cerebro Spinal Fluid (CSF) culture and blood culture of the patient, which he received on January 5, proved positive for neisseria meningitidis, the bacteria that causes meningococcemia.
Immediately after the results were known, the PHO dispatched its surveillance team to monitor the people who came in close contact with the victim.
After a week, the people under surveillance did not register any sign or symptoms of the killer disease.
“Wala nang dapat ikabahala,”said Provincial Health Officer Anna Theresa De Guzman.
Meningo, De Guzman explained, is likely to occur during cold weather among children and young adults and can be transferred through direct contact with patients like coughing, sneezing and discharges from the throat or nose.
She reminded the public avoid crowded places and sharing utensils and to always practice a healthy lifestyle. (PIA-Pangasinan)
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