By Dominique Gabriel G. Bañaga

A Sebucauan Elementary School Grade 6 student in Isabela, Negros Occidental recently died of suspected meningococcemia.

Isabela Mayor Joselito Malabor said the student was buried last Thursday after earlier succumbing to the disease.

The mayor said the victim was brought to the town’s district hospital after the patient started showing symptoms of meningococcemia.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, meningococcal bacteria can be spread through respiratory and throat secretions, which include saliva and spit.

Malabor said health authorities are still verifying if the situation was indeed a case of meningococcemia. Samples had been taken from the student and have since been sent to the Research Institute for Tropical Medicine for tests.

As a precaution, the mayor ordered local health officials to conduct preventive treatment for all students and school staff./DGB, WDJ