Tondo hospital closes ER over suspected meningo

MANILA, Philippines — The emergency room (ER) of the Gat Andres Bonifacio Memorial Medical Center in Tondo, Manila was temporarily closed yesterday over a suspected case of meningococcemia.

In its Facebook page, the hospital management said the closure was part of “standard safety procedures and disinfection” after a 55-year-old female patient manifested symptoms of meningococcal infection.

“Hospital operations remain normal in other areas, including the out-patient department. The hospital hopes to resume ER operations on Thursday,” the Facebook post read.

Fresco Yapendon, head of the hospital’s infection control department, said they implemented precautionary measures to prevent the possible spread of infection. 

Yapendon assured the public that hospital workers and patients on duty when the patient was brought to the ER were given prophylaxis,  an antibiotic to prevent bacterial infection.

“The patient was brought directly to the isolation room because she was suspected to have meningococcemia. She remains under observation,” he said.

A report from the Regional Epidemiology and Surveillance Unit of the Department of Health (DOH) showed the patient was scheduled for routine dialysis on Jan. 22.

When she was examined by doctors, it was observed that she manifested fever and purpuric rashes on her feet.  

The DOH collected specimen from the patient for laboratory confirmation at the Research Institute for Tropical Medicine. 

Last week, a one-year-old girl from Meycauayan, Bulacan died at the Valenzuela City Hospital supposedly due to meningococcemia.

The girl later tested negative for meningcococcal infection.

Meningococcemia is an infection of the thin lining that surrounds the brain and spinal cord. It is caused by a bacteria called Neisseria meningitis. – With Marc Jayson Cayabyab