Meningococcemia eyed in 4th grade pupil’s death

Authorities are eyeing meningococcemia as the cause behind the death of a 10-year-old pupil of the New Era University Tuesday, radio station dzEC reported. University administrator Joe Ventilacion said they are waiting for official word from the San Lazaro Hospital in Manila on the cause of the child’s death. Ventilacion did not identify the child who was said to be in fourth grade of the New Era University which is owned by the Iglesia ni Cristo. “He died Tuesday at the San Lazaro Hospital in Manila. We are waiting for confirmation on the cause of death. He was feverish sometime last week and was first brought to the East Avenue Medical Center," Ventilacion said. He said a thorough cleaning of all classrooms in the school premises was being carried out. Health authorities describe meningococcemia, also called meningococcal meningitis or cerebrospinal fever, as an acute disease caused by a gram negative bacteria Neisseria meningitidis. The infection may be asymptomatic, may be restricted to the nasopharynx, or exhibit upper respiratorytract infections. It may cause meningococcal pneumonia, or meningitis. Incubation period lasts for 2-10 days with an average of 3-4 days. The disease is characterized by sudden onset of high grade fever lasting for 24 hours. Other signs and symptoms are petechial and/or purpuric rashes appearing within 24 hours after onset of fever, and signs of meningeal irritation such as: headache, nausea and vomiting, stiff neck, bulging fontanel (among infants), seizure or convulsions, and sensorial changes. It can be transmitted by direct contact with respiratory droplets from nose and throat of infected persons. Carriers may exist without cases of meningitis. Transmission via inanimate objects (personal belongings of cases) is insignificant. -GMANews.TV