By Ma. Teresa Montemayor/PNA
MANILA — The Department of Health (DOH) on Wednesday allayed fears of the public over the suspected meningococcemia case at the Gat Andres Bonifacio Memorial Medical Center (GABMMC) in Manila.
“Iyong ginagawa nilang pag-sterilize, iyan ay bahagi ng protocol natin kung mayroong suspected na case sa ospital para masiguro na hindi ito kakalat at ginagawa ng ating health officials ang protocol, iyong gamot, contact tracing, iyong family, bigyan ng prophylaxis, ang mga iyan ay de kahon na ginagawa (The sterilization that they’re doing, that’s part of our protocol if there is suspected case in the hospital to ensure that it won’t spread and our health officials do the protocol, the medicines, contact tracing, the family, provision of prophylaxis, all that are usual procedures),” Health Secretary Francisco Duque III said in a radio interview.
Duque said there is an average of 200 meningococcemia cases in the country every year.
“Pero bago masabing tunay na meningococcemia cases iyan, tine-test ang dugo ng pasiyente at titingnan ang resulta (Before they can be considered as meningococcemia cases, the patient’s blood should be tested and the result checked),” he said.
To avoid meningococcemia and other diseases, Duque advised the public to regularly observe hygienic practices.
“When you cough, takpan ninyo ang bibig nang maigi, at kung gumamit ng tissue, ibulsa muna at huwag iiwan kung saan-saan at iwasan muna ng beso-beso at pakikipagkamay kasi maigi nang dumidistansya ka, iwasan din ang matataong lugar dahil diyan mabilis kumalat ang sakit (cover your mouth properly, if you used tissue, keep it in your pocket and don’t leave it anywhere and avoid cheek to cheek contact and handshakes because it best to distance yourself from others, avoid populated places also because diseases spread there easily,” he said.
Duque also stressed the importance of handwashing to avoid diseases like flu and food poisoning.
“Basta maghugas lang ng kamay, iyong likod, palad at mga daliri habang kumakanta ng happy birthday saka siguraduhin na nagsasabon nang maigi (Just wash your hands, the back, palm and fingers while singing happy birthday and make sure you use soap thoroughly),” he added.
On Tuesday, Dr. Rolan Mendiola, GABMMC senior house officer, confirmed that the hospital’s emergency room was closed to the public after receiving a 55-year-old woman who had fever for days and purple rashes, which are among symptoms of meningococcemia.
Last week, a suspected meningococcemia patient was rushed to a hospital in Valenzuela City but she was pronounced dead on arrival.
The DOH said all persons who have been in contact with the suspected meningococcemia patient have been traced and given antibiotics to prevent the illness from developing.
The agency, however, clarified that there is no outbreak of the disease in the country.
Meningococcemia is an infection caused by the Neisseria meningitidis bacteria, the same type of bacteria that can cause meningitis.
