ILOILO – A 58-year-old man from Miag-ao town has died from a suspected case of meningococcemia, marking the second such fatality reported in Iloilo province and prompting intensified health measures, including contact tracing and prophylaxis, by the Provincial Health Office.
“This is a dangerous communicable disease,” warned Dr. Rodney Labis, chief of the Health Service Delivery Division of the Iloilo Provincial Health Office (IPHO), as he confirmed that the patient exhibited symptoms consistent with meningococcemia and passed away on the morning of August 3.
The patient initially experienced fever and severe body aches on July 30 and sought medical assistance at the Miag-ao First Aid Clinic on August 2. By then, his condition had worsened with the appearance of reddish to purplish rashes and reduced consciousnesss — hallmarks of meningococcemia.
“He was brought to the Miag-ao Primary Care Facility and was immediately referred to a district hospital,” said Dr. Labis. “The doctors suspected meningococcemia based on the rashes and symptoms, and the patient met the Department of Health’s (DOH) case definition.”
Despite prompt medical attention, the patient succumbed the next day. The hospital has since sent biological samples to the Research Institute for Tropical Medicine (RITM) in Manila for confirmatory testing.
“The hospital obtained specimens for confirmatory testing, and these were forwarded to the DOH for submission to RITM,” Labis added.
Meningococcemia, caused by the bacterium Neisseria meningitidis, is a life-threatening disease that spreads through respiratory droplets and affects the bloodstream, potentially causing septic shock and organ failure.
In compliance with DOH protocols, the patient was buried immediately after death to prevent possible transmission.
“The patient was recommended for immediate burial and was buried yesterday (August 3),” said Labis. “The Miag-ao local government also initiated contact tracing and prophylaxis for those who had close contact with the patient—from health workers to household members.”
Miag-ao’s local health authorities temporarily shut down the First Aid Clinic where the patient was initially treated, disinfecting the facility and administering preventive antibiotics to the staff.
“The Miag-ao LGU immediately ordered the temporary closure of their first aid clinic last Saturday for disinfection,” Labis confirmed.
Fortunately, no symptoms have been reported among those who were in close contact with the patient. “Healthcare personnel who were given prophylaxis have not shown any symptoms,” Labis noted.
IPHO is now urging the public to be vigilant and seek immediate medical attention at the nearest clinic or hospital if symptoms appear. Early signs of meningococcemia include high fever, severe headache, muscle pain, nausea, vomiting, and rashes that progress from red blotches to purplish lesions under the skin.
This incident follows a previously reported case of suspected meningococcemia in the province, raising alarm over the potential spread of the disease and the need for heightened public awareness and preventive actions./PN
