BY: FAYETTE C. RIÑEN
CEBU CITY, August 27 (PIA) --- The Department of Health (DOH-7) confirmed that the first case of meningococcemia in Central Visayas expired in Cebu City on August 16 as close monitoring is continuously being done to immediate family members and within the area for any manifestations of the fatal disease.
Renan Cimafranca, Nurse V of the DOH-7 Regional Epidemiology Surveillance Unit bared the male adult from Danao City that succumbed to meningococcemia last August 16 is the first confirmed laboratory case of the disease in Central Visayas.
“There was a suspected case of meningococcemia before but this was not confirmed by lab tests,” said Cimafranca.
According to Cimafranca, the immediate family members and those that handled the cadaver were given prophylaxis to prevent the development of the disease in case of exposure. The victim was immediately buried within 24 hours to prevent any exposure to the virulent virus, said Cimafranca.
“We are continuously monitoring the family members and others that came in contact with the victim. We are also coordinating with the Danao City Health Department to check within the vicinity where the victim lived of any manifestations of meningococcemia,” bared Cimafranca.
Cimafranca said meningococcemia is a very fatal disease and if not immediately treated can result to death. “Those exposed to meningococcemia can die three to four days following the onset of symptoms,” said the RESU official adding that exposure to the virus can manifest after a week.
Cimafranca narrated the victim was first hospitalized at the Danao City District Hospital and was brought to the government-manned Vicente Sotto Memorial Medical Center in Cebu City a day before he died which was too late, said the RESU official.
The victim had no travel history prompting health officials to surmise that possible exposure to the virus could just be within the area in Danao City. (mbcn/fcr/PIA-7)