7-year-old girl in Bohol dies due to suspected meningococcemia

TAGBILARAN, Bohol—Health authorities here are on alert following the death of a seven-year-old girl on Wednesday afternoon allegedly due to meningococcemia.

Provincial health officer Reymoses Cabagnot said the girl died after she was rushed to Gov. Celestino Gallares Memorial Hospital (GCGMH ) in Tagbilaran City.

He added investigation would be conducted once the laboratory results confirmed it was a case of meningococcemia.

The probe would help health authorities determine how the girl was infected to prevent the spread of the infection.

Last Wednesday, GCGMH temporarily closed its emergency room for hours for fumigation.

The victim, who was a resident of Loon town, at least 24 km from Tagbilaran City, was declared dead at 2:12 p.m. on Wednesday, only three hours after she was brought to the hospital with symptoms of meningococcemia.

The hospital staff, parents and those who had direct contact with the victim were given Ciprofloxacin, an antibiotic.

Since doctors suspected that the girl died of meningococcemia, they advised the family to immediately bury her remains to prevent any spread of the infection.

Cabagnot advised the public to keep their surroundings clean and not to take the illness for granted.

Meningococcemia is an acute and potentially life-threatening infection of the blood stream caused by a bacteria called Neisseria meningitides, the Department of Health said.

It can be spread from person to person through respiratory droplets or air borne, it added.

Symptoms may include fever, rashes, headache, anxiety, irritability, muscle pain and nausea.