Classes suspended in Masbate school after 1 dies of suspected meningococcemia

LEGAZPI CITY –– At least three Grade 1 classes and one kindergarten class in Cataingan town in Masbate province were suspended Wednesday after a suspected patient of meningococcemia died at a hospital in this city on Monday, the Department of Education (DepEd) said.

The 7-year-old Grade 1 pupil was brought to the Bicol Regional Training and Teaching Hospital on Monday at 3:27 p.m., but was pronounced dead by 3:41 p.m.

The suspension of classes will last for a week.

“If it is a case of meningococcemia, the Department of Health said they are ready to take proper action,” DepEd Bicol spokesperson Mayflor Marie Jumamil told the Inquirer.

Jumamil said only the Research Institute for Tropical Medicine in Muntinlupa is allowed to confirm whether the Grade 1 pupil died from meningococcemia.

The division office has also issued a memo to the school head to coordinate with the municipal health office, Jumamil said.

She said “prophylaxes have been administered to affected students” at the Emilio S. Boro Central School where the student attended classes.