Saturday, August 10, 2013

OFFICIAL STATEMENT FROM TACLOBAN CITY LOCAL HEALTH BOARD

Agustin Bordallo Jr.

9:37pm Aug 9

August 8, 2013 at 4:55PM

Due to the recent case of an EVSU student who died last August 5, 2013 and was clinically diagnosed as 'Meningococcemia', the Local Health Board through its chair , Hon. Alfred S. Romualdez hereby issues the following statement:

The City government of Tacloban through the assistance of DOH Region 8, conducted an investigation at EVSU and shed light on Meningococcemia with respect to the EVSU student who died, it appears that despite having signs of weakness, rashes and other symptoms, she did not have herself immediately checked. For those in close contact with the same they were given prophylactic antibiotic. The Surveillance unit from City of Tacloban and DOH will do a thorough contact tracing of of people the victim was in contact pursuant to standard operating procedures.

Meningococcemia is an acute and potentially life-threatening infection of the bloodstream caused by bacteria called Neisseria meningitidis. The bacteria frequently live in a person's upper respiratory tract without causing visible signs of illness and can be spread from person to person through respiratory droplets or are air borne.

Family members and those closely exposed to someone with the condition are at increased risk. Symptoms may include fever, rashes, headache, anxiety, irritability, muscle pain and nausea.

The public is thereby advised not to panic because of the transmission of Meningoccemia is not the same as AH1N1 as alleged text messages that are currently circulating.

For prevention of Meningococcemia please take the following measures:

1. Proper handwashing

2. Cover your mouth when you sneeze or cough

3. Eat balanced diet

4. Seek early consult when you have fever, headache and other symptoms

5. Limit alcohol intake

6. Avoidance of smoking and overcrowding

Regional health authorities reported that as of August 8, 2013, there are only twelve (12) cases of Meningococcemia in Eastern Visayas, but only one (1 ) in Tacloban City.