THE DEPARTMENT of Health (DoH) on Thursday allayed fears on social media of a meningococcemia outbreak in the country.In a statement posted on Twitter, the DoH said: “There is no reported meningococcemia outbreak; we are, however, investigating a suspected meningococcemia case in Valenzuela City of a two-year old female who exhibited signs and symptoms of the disease, which include fever, vomiting, body rashes and loose bowel movement.”The unidentified child was declared dead at the Valenzuela City Emergency Hospital on Monday, the health department added.The agency said a team had collected laboratory specimens to confirm if the child died of the severe bacterial infection.In the meantime, the DoH said: “We are closely coordinating with our regional office for contact tracing. As precautionary measures, we have provided post-exposure prophylaxis to close contacts of the patients.”Valenzuela Mayor Rex Gatchalian, over CNN Philippines’ “Balitaan” show, said the child tested negative for meningococcemia.Health Undersecretary Rolando Domingo told CNN Philippines’ “Newsroom Ngayon” that the disease causes very high fever and rashes. Some 200 cases of meningococcemia are recorded in the country every year, but they are not a cause for alarm, he said.It should not cause illness, but if the body’s resistance weakens, bacteria might enter the body and lead to sickness, he said.
