Inmate in Laguna dies due to suspected meningococcemia

Authorities in Biñan, Laguna remain on alert after a female inmate died due to suspected meningococcemia on Saturday.

According to Jun Veneracion's report on GMA's 24 Oras, all police officers on duty and prisoners in an all-female cell were wearing face masks.

Cops were temporarily prohibited from leaving the precinct until the result on the test on the deceased inmate comes out. Visitors are also not allowed to enter the jail premises.

"Wala munang papasok kahit sino para ma-sure natin na walang mahahawaan," said Lieutenant Colonel Danilo Mendoza, chief of Biñan City Police.

Blood samples were already extracted from the 133 inmates in the congested jail. Preventive medicine was also given to them as well as to the cops.

A 23-year-old inmate died on Saturday after being rushed to a hospital in Biñan and later to the Research Institute For Tropical Medical Medicine.

She was arrested and detained at the precinct on March 31 for allegedly participating in illegal gambling.

"Nagkaroon po s'ya ng fever of two days. So, by Saturday nagkaroon na po siya ng seizure," said Mirabelle Benjamin, Biñan City Health Officer.

The Department of Health (DOH) said that the case may likely test negative for meningococcemia.

"We've had preliminary test pero mukhang hindi naman meninggococcemia, ang nakikita natin ay mukhang streptococcus," DOH spokesperson Undersecretary Eric Domingo said.

"'Yung streptococcus naman as long as nilinis na 'yung lugar kung saan 'yan nangyari hindi naman siya ganu'ng ka-easily transmissible at saka ganun kabilis o kasing fatal ng meningococcemia," he added.

Meningococcemia is a fatal bacterial infection of the blood caused by the bacteria Neisseria meningitidis.

It is transmitted through respiratory droplets from coughing, sneezing, or reusing eating utensils that were exposed to infected persons.

Meningococcemia symptoms include fever, cough, sore throat, rashes, bruises, stiff neck, convulsions, and vomiting. —Dona Magsino/LDF, GMA News