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Monday, December 05, 2005
Sarangani placed on meningoccocemia watch
ALABEL, Sarangani -- Town health officials were recently directed to keep a tight watch on any suspected meningococcemia occurrence.
"We continue to monitor, conduct surveillance and coordinate possible disease occurrence to analyze and plan out effective, immediate and coordinative interventions," said Dr. Antonio Yasana, provincial health officer.
Yasana said the meningococcemia watch was being closely coordinated by his office with the local government units following the death of four-year-old Diosdado Salazar Jr., a resident of sitio Masagana, Barangay Lun Masla, Malapatan.
Salazar died Monday last week at the General Santos City District Hospital "with clinical diagnosis as possible meningococcemia case by the attending physician," according to Yasana.
The body was properly disposed and buried immediately after release from the hospital, he said.
"Laboratory tests were done. However, confirmatory tests for the disease was not conducted," Yasana said.
"The confirmatory tests for meningococcal infection is through bacterial control," he added.
On Monday, a team from the provincial and municipal health offices conducted an ocular observation of Sitio Masagana.
The team carried out an information drive about the disease and its prevention.
Possible contacts with the victim were "line-listed" and identified contacts in the village provided with "chemoprophylaxis treatment."
Dr. Diomedes Remitar, Malapatan municipal health officer, said 253 "contacts" were given medication.
The doctors advised that any patient with fever and skin rash should see a doctor or report to the nearest health center.
A skin rash, which is essential for recognizing meningococcemia, is the characteristic manifestation. (Press release)
(December 5, 2005 issue)
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