Posted: Tue Nov 23, 2004 6:21 pm Post subject: This should be something to see in Manilla
The Philippine Star 11/23/2004
BAGUIO — An airborne bacterial outbreak has killed a total of six people and ravaged tourism in Baguio City, officials said yesterday.
Local health officials said meningococcemia struck eight residents of the city this month, killing five including four last week. An 11-year-old girl who suffered from symptoms associated with the disease also died in Manila last weekend.
Three other people are recovering from symptoms of the disease in Baguio hospitals, assistant city health officer Rowena Galpo told reporters.
Fearful residents here have resorted to wearing face masks and cleaning up drugstore shelves of self-prescribed antibiotics.
"There’s no cause for panic," Galpo said. "Only close contact with a person infected with the bacteria makes one susceptible," she added.
Meningococcemia, a disease caused by a bacterium known as neisseria meningitidis, targets the central nervous system. Symptoms include chills, headache, neck stiffness, neck and back pain, nausea and vomiting, rashes and seizures.
Meningococcemia was a strange disease in the Cordillera Autonomous Region (CAR) until this year when it was believed to have infected 18 people, the Department of Health said yesterday.
The report showed that there has been no case of meningococcemia in the region since 1998.
The outbreak started on Oct. 3 but peaked on Nov. 17 after three people died after attending the wake of a 41-year-old man from Mirador Hill, who was the first to die from the disease on Nov. 6. The other fatality, who came from Alano, died on Nov 18 but was linked to an Oct. 8 case.
According to Dr. Luningning Villa, head of the DOH’s National Center for Disease Prevention and Control, meningococcemia is caused by neisseria meningitidis, a bacterium that thrives in the throat.
Villa claimed that those who are prone to get ill have weak resistance. She asked the public to avoid cigarettes and alcohol and take enough rest to build body resistance.
She stressed that Baguio’s situation is "manageable" because the cases come sporadically.
Meanwhile, the Department of Education (DepEd) conducted an information drive on meningococcemia in public schools here to assuage fears and stop undue panic among the populace because of the dreaded disease.
Dr. Thelma Santos, DepED School Health and Nutrition Center (SHNC) director, told The Star that the lecture included updates on the meningococcemia situation in Baguio City. — AFP, Rainier Allan Ronda, Shiela Crisostomo
Baguio is known as one of the main attrations for Filipinos and tourists during the summer months as the height makes it relatively cool.
It is about 100 miles norht of Manila.
It used to be the home of the US Camp John Hay and fulfilled the same function for US military during their time there.
This outbreak sounds quite serious, and I hope it is soon bought under control. _________________ The Middle Eastern states aren't nations; they're quarrels with borders.- P. J. O'Rourke
Alan, it's under control and tourism in Baguio City really suffered a lot from this outbreak...
I feel bad about things happening in my country.
I'm praying everything will be back to normal since we are planning to visit Baguio City soon _________________ “to never stop dreaming until your hair turns gray… that’s the essence of living”
God is not sleeping, he has something new in store for us... I think on positive sides _________________ “to never stop dreaming until your hair turns gray… that’s the essence of living”
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