A Resident From Balulang Dies From Suspected Meningococcemia Case

06 Jun A Resident From Balulang Dies From Suspected Meningococcemia Case

Image Source | Grabbed from Google Maps

Health officials in Cagayan de Oro were yet to confirm the cause of a recent death of a man in barangay Balulang, being suspected to be a meningococcemia case. Found to be a former mall employee, the man showed symptoms of meningococcemia.

“This case is not yet confirmed [as meningococcemia] but it’s only suspected to be one,” said Dr. Nimfa Torrizo, director of the Department of Health in region 10. According to her, there was no laboratory test conducted for the time of the man’s admission to the hospital and his death was too short.

Though the case is yet to be confirmed if it really involves mengococcemia, the last known contacts of the deceased man have been given preventive medications. Information dissemination campaign has also commenced in Barangay Balulang.

At least two physicians, from a private hospital and from Northern Mindanao Medical Center (NMMC), diagnosed the man with meningococcemia. With this, the City Health Office has already started an investigation.

The family was ordered by the city hall to facilitate an immediate burial of the victim, said city health officer Dr. Fe Bongcas.

Caused by a bacteria called Neisseria Meningitides, Meningococcemia can only be contracted when an individual gets a close contact with an infected person in a prolonged period of time. Symptoms of Meningococcemia includes sudden onset of high fever that lasts for 24 hours, appearance of rashes within 24 hours after the onset of fever, signs of meningeal irritation like of nausea, headache, vomiting, and among others.