'MENINGO' SCARE
Help sought as 5 yr-old girl treated for possible meningococcemia

By Florence F. Hibionada, correspondent

Health experts have been called in to assist officials of Barotac Viejo, Iloilo following Saturday's news of a 5 year-old girl suspected to have the dreaded meningococcemia. Now undergoing treatment in an undisclosed city hospital, the folks of the young patient were already apprised by attending physicians of the seriousness of her condition.

As such, the father called for the public's financial help even as he disclosed the family's refusal for further life-support system in the event his daughter would succumb to the disease. Adding up to the concern, is the family's four other children feared to have been afflicted as well with the entire brood exposed to the now gravely-ill girl.

Meningococcemia refers to meningococial infections that spreads to the blood. The natural habitat of the bacteria is the throat with the incubation period of 1 to 10 days but usually in four days or less. Acknowledged by health authorities to be more lethal than the equally-dreaded Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS), meningococcemia even at best treatment still have about 50% mortality rate. Worse, those with lesser immune system die within hours at the onset of the symptoms.

Last week an ill person who came from Baguio City was suspected to have died of meningococcemia in Capiz.

Authorities however failed to confirm the report as of yet.

Reached by Bombo Radyo, Barotac Viejo Mayor Raul Tupas assured of immediate action saying help is on the way alongside his decision to have the impact area looked into. Transmission of the bacteria is stopped with the conduct of massive chemoprophylaxis thus stopping the spread of the disease.

Residents of the barangay where the family of the young patient resides as well as nearby barangays will be treated with antibiotics as among the precautionary and preventive measures.

Meanwhile, reports have it that the security guards and the entire nursing staff of the hospital where the girl was admitted were already administered with antibiotics and required to wear masks.

Yet as the mayor pointed out, the confirmation of the 5 year-old girl's blood tests has yet to arrive thus stressing that what is being treated at the moment is still a "suspected meningococcemia."

The News Today learned that while local hospitals are capable of doing the initial gram-stain laboratory tests, only the Research Institute for Tropical Medicine (RITM) in Manila could confirm the findings of the blood culture.

Tupas also assured of full support to the family while he called on the distraught father to be strong and trust that his daughter will be well.

" Handa gid ang tanan sa pagbulig (Everybody is here to help)," he said in a phone-patched conversation with the girl's father facilitated by Bombo Radyo Saturday.

With the bacteria transferred from person to person through respiratory droplets, the Department of Health (DOH) in its public advisories has called on the avoidance of crowded places or sharing of utensils, cigarettes or anything that is being put in the mouth. And maintain proper hygiene too with regular exercise and a good diet so as to increase one's immune system and defenses to contagious diseases.

Among the symptoms are acute respiratory tract infection, cough and colds, rashes, vomiting and diarrhea. The Philippines is endemic to meningococcemia though studies showed that the likelihood of such becoming a nationwide epidemic is "very remote."

As of Saturday, the 5 year-old was described by her father as very weak with her slightest move marked by body pains.