Dead child, 5, negative of meningococcemia

CEBU, Philippines — The five-year-old child from Consolacion who died Thursday after exhibiting symptoms of meningococcemia tested negative of the highly contagious disease.

Dr. Christina Giango, Provincial Health Officer, the test results revealed that the child was clear from meningococcal bacteria.

Last Thursday, the child was admitted to the hospital due to high fever and rashes. The child was transferred to multiple private hospitals before setting to Vicente Sotto Memorial Medical Center to undergo blood tests.

Giango said that high fever and rashes are among the symptoms of the disease. The patient died two hours after undergoing the blood exams.

“We received a report nga ang result sa iyang blood test is negative for meningococcemia… maybe it’s just a viral infection,” Giango said.

Multiple suspected meningococcal cases have reported in different parts of the country over the past month. This includes one case in Batangas and in Davao.

Meningococcemia is a bacterial infection in the bloodstream characterized by high fever, rashes and headaches. In extreme cases, the infection could lead to septic shock and multiple organ failure.

The Provincial Health Office advises the general public to avoid crowded places and maintain proper hygiene. If symptoms of infection occur to patients, they are urged to seek consultation to their local medical officers as soon as possible.  FPL (FREEMAN)