There is no cause for panic in Barangay Utod, Pulupandan, where the family of a two-month old baby who died of suspected meningococcemia live, Dr. Luisa Efren, Negros Occidental Provincial Health Officer, assured yesterday.

Roma Jane Sim died at the Bago City Hospital Monday but there is no confirmation that the baby who was buried at the Pulupandan cemetery yesterday had meningococcemia, she said.

That is because the blood sample taken from the child was not properly preserved so it cannot be used to determine the cause of death, she said. Relatives of the child yesterday said neighbors, some of them wearing masks, were staying away from them out of fear that they would get meningococcemia.

Janet Sim, the mother of the child, complained that they were being ostracized in their barangay, tricycle drivers would not give them rides and when they go to buy items in village stores they are not entertained.

Efren said there was no need to ostracize the family of the child as proper precautionary measures had been taken, which included cleaning of surroundings and the giving of antibiotics to people who came in contact with the child, including neighbors.

Pulupandan Mayor Magdaleno Peña said antibiotics had been given to 1,000 residents in the area. It has to be given two times day for three days, he said.

According to an advisory from the Department of Health meningococcal infection is brought by bacteria Neisseria meningitides.

The most devastating form of meningococcemia is fulminant meningococcemia which consists of hemorrhagic rashes, drop in blood pressure and circulating shock leading to death, the advisory said.

"Infection is spread by direct contact with discharges from the nose and throat which contain the bacteria. Although meningococcal bacteria are common, they are extremely delicate outside of the body and are not very contagious," the advisory also said.

The bacteria spreads from an infected carrier to another person through close, direct physical contact and through coughing, and sneezing, kissing. It can also spread through saliva (spit) when sharing items such as food or drinks, cups, utensils and drinking straws, it added.

In general, people should not share anything that has been in their mouth, it said.

Close contacts of a case of meningococcal disease may be given an antibiotic to protect them, the advisory said.

To prevent catching meningococcemia, one must wash hands frequently with soap and water, avoid close contact with meningococcemia patients, increase resistance by having a healthy diet, have regular exercise, adequate rest and sleep, no alcohol and cigaret smoking, and maintain clean environment/surroundings, the advisory added.*CPG

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