City Health Office (CHO) Environment and Sanitation Division head, Dr. Grace Tan, said they are still awaiting the confirmatory test results from the five-year-old who recently passed away from a suspected case of meningococcemia, a bacterial disease.

In a press conference yesterday, Tan said they are expecting confirmatory tests to be completed next week, despite initial tests performed by the CHO came up negative for meningococcemia.

She added, the disease is very similar to dengue in terms of symptoms like high fever, colds, coughing, and rashes. Tan also noted, the bacteria is usually seen in the nose and throat of the patient.

Tan advised city residents to regularly wash their hands and follow proper hygiene in order to avoid catching the disease.

Earlier last week, a five-year-old, who was not named, began vomiting while attending classes.

The minor was rushed to two private hospitals last Saturday and was later transferred to the Corazon Locsin Montelibano Memorial Regional Hospital (CLMMRH) after he began showing symptoms of meningococcemia.

The patient later passed away on Sunday while receiving treatment.

As a precaution,  the minor’s family were provided antibiotics, while classes at the school were temporarily suspended in order to disinfect the premises./DGB, WDJ