DOH: No meningococcemia outbreak

DOH: No meningococcemia outbreak

THE Department of Health (DOH) denied Friday, January 18, rumors circulating online that there is an ongoing outbreak of meningococcemia in any part of the country.

“There is no reported meningococcemia outbreak in the country,” the DOH said in a statement in response to reports online that the emergency room of the Novaliches District Hospital (NDH) in Quezon City underwent a biosafety measure after an 11-year-old boy was brought to the facility for treatment last January 4.

Fears were further fanned after photos of the alleged meningococcemia patient circulated on Facebook, together with a supposed photograph of a memorandum ordering the closure of the emergency room for quarantine and decontamination purposes.

The staff of the NDH already came out to reiterate that there is no meningococcemia outbreak in the facility.

The NDH had also assured that the Novaliches-based hospital remains safe and operating normally as usual.

What is present, however, according to the DOH, is a suspected meningococcemia case in Valenzuela City.

The health department noted how a two-year-old female, who supposedly exhibited signs and symptoms of the disease, was pronounced dead on arrival at the Valenzuela City Emergency Hospital.

“Our team has collected laboratory specimens and is still awaiting results as of this writing,” it said.

As a precautionary measure, the DOH has provided post-exposure prophylaxis to close contacts of the patient and is monitoring them for any signs and symptoms, which include fever, vomiting, body rashes, and loose bowel movement.

Meningococcemia is a rare infectious disease caused by the Neisseria meningitidis bacteria that can be life-threatening if the patient is not given appropriate medical care.

The bacteria spreads from person to person via respiratory secretions. (HDT/SunStar Philippines)

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