Meningococcemia Kills 3 Children in Eastern Visayas

The Department of Health (DOH) in Eastern Visayas confirmed on Thursday six cases of meningococcemia in the region this year that claimed the lives of three children.

During the DOH PIA ON AIR Program aired live over DYVL Aksyon Radyo, Boyd Roderick Cerro, DOH-8 nurse epedimiologist said the cases came from Leyte and Samar provinces and all were referred to Eastern Visayas Regional Medical Center (EVRMC).

Two came from Macarthur; one from Abuyog, one from Carigara, one from Tacloban City, all in Leyte and one from Calbayog, City in Samar.

Ages of children who died due to meningococcemia were 11 years old, four years old and the youngest was an 11 months old baby.

Cerro said those who came in contact with the victims were all given medications as a precaution and so far, no symptoms have surfaced after the incubation period.

Despite the reported cases of meningococcemia this year, DOH assured the public not to panic for it is not highly contagious but advised people to increase resistance by having healthy diet, regular exercise, and adequate rest and sleep.

Cerro also advised people to avoid crowded places, maintain clean environment, avoid sharing utensil that has been in the mouth of an infected person, wash hands frequently with soap and water and avoid close contacts with meningococcemia patients.

Health authorities said that an early recognition of meningococcal infection and prompt treatment greatly improve chances of survival.

Meningococcemia is an acute and potentially life-threatening bacterial infection of the bloodstream caused by neisseria meningitides bacteria. This bacteria frequently live in a person’s upper respiratory tract without causing visible signs of illness. It can be spread from person-to-person through respiratory droplets from coughing, sneezing, kissing, or sharing foods, drinks and utensils.

Signs and symptoms include fever, cough, sore throat, other respiratory symptoms, pinpoint rashes which become wider and appear like bruises starting from the legs and arms (large maplike bruise-like patches), severe skin lesions which may lead to gangrene, unstable vital signs, may or may not have signs of meningitis such as stiff neck, convulsion (in some cases), delirium, altered mental status and vomiting.(ajc/cba/PIA8)