No result yet on lab test of Bulacan kids who died due to suspected meningococcemia —DOH

There is no result yet on the laboratory test conducted on the two toddlers in Bulacan who died supposedly due to meningococcemia.

Interviewed on GMA News' Unang Balita on Monday, Health Undersecretary Eric Domingo said the result may be released today or tomorrow.

"Ito po ay tinatawag nating suspected cases. 'Yung laboratory results baka po lumabas today o tomorrow. Pero as of now, we're treating them as meningococcemia and doing all the necessary precautions," Domingo said.

The victims, aged three and one, were rushed to a hospital in Santa Maria town after reportedly showing symptoms of the illness, including vomiting, rashes, cough, and fever.

According to Domingo, the Department of Health has not received any report yet on new suspected cases of meningococcemia.

Domingo reminded parents to immediately bring their children to hospitals if they notice symptoms of the disease.

"'Yung mga batang maliliit po, less than four [years old] usually, nagkakaroon sila ng mas mataas po na chance na magkaroon sila nito," Domingo said.

"Napakalakas po ng bacteria na ito at kumakalat po kasi siya sa dugo at maaaring sa utak kaya nagkakameningitis din. Ang gamot lang po talaga sa kaniya ay antibiotic at basta nakikitaan na ng symptoms ang mga anak, dalhin na po kaagad sa ospital para ma-diagnose po agad," he added.

According to DOH, meningococcemia is an acute and potentially life-threatening bacterial infection of the bloodstream. The bacteria frequently live in a person’s upper respiratory tract without causing visible signs of illness.

READ: Meningococcemia — what causes it, and how to avoid it

Its symptoms include high fever, headache, stiff neck, drowsiness, dizziness, convulsions, vomiting, unstable vital signs, coughing and rashes. —Anna Felicia Bajo/KG, GMA News