UP Diliman Health Service looking at possible case of meningococcemia

University of the Philippines-Diliman is looking at a possible case of meningococcemia after the death of a patient in the care of its University Health Service (UHS) on Thursday.

In a health advisory posted on its Facebook page, the UHS said the patient is not a confirmed case of the disease and it is "not the main consideration of the attending doctors."

However, they are considering the possibility of meningococcemia due to the "apparent signs of septic shock and rapid deterioration of the patient."

The body of the patient has been released to the relatives and the Quezon City Health Office was informed of the case.

As a precaution, the UHS will disinfect the emergency room using UV light for 48 hours and transferred its operations to another location.

Medications were also given to the hospital staff who directly participated in the treatment and care of the patient.

"We would like to inform the general public that it is safe to consult at the University Health Service and we are resuming our ER operations at its former location effective tomorrow, March 23," the advisory read.

The UHS advised frequent handwashing and covering coughs and sneezes to prevent contracting meningococcemia, an illness with a 40 percent fatality rate. —Marisse Panaligan/JST, GMA News