DOH-Davao: suspected case of meningo still under probe

DAVAO CITY (MindaNews) – The Department of Health in Davao region is still waiting for results of the examination on the blood samples taken from a fouryear old boy who died Friday in a private hospital here while showing signs and symptoms similar to meningococcemia

In a statement on Saturday, the DOH-Davao said the Brokenshire Hospital Integrated Health Ministries, Inc. “has collected and sent out specimen for confirmation and is now waiting for results.”

It added the hospital has already taken precautionary measure by administering post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) to people who had close contacts with the patient, including his family members, pupils at the pre-school where the patient studied, and emergency room staff who attended to the patients.

“We are closely monitoring them for any signs and symptoms, which include fever, vomiting, body rashes, and loose bowel movement,” it added.

The agency will also dispatch a team to monitor the school of the patient to

assist the teachers in the proper information dissemination to the parents and to ensure that everyone who came in close contact with the patient is administered the PEP.

It also clarified that the mode of transmission of meningococcemia is “through droplet and not airborne,” specifically direct contact with discharges from the nose and throat of the infected person.

It added meningococcemia can also spread “through coughing, sneezing, kissing, sharing of food, drinks, and utensils.”

The agency also appealed to the public to avoid sharing misinformation on social media to prevent causing alarm while waiting for the result of the examination.

The City Health Office said in a separate statement that the hospital has strictly “observed and conducted measures based on standard medical protocols to control possible infection and spread.”