Over a decade ago, from October 2004 to January 2005, Baguio City General Hospital and Medical Center reported an almost-daily admittance of patients afflicted with meningococcemia-like symptoms.

According to Dr. Lulu Bravo, professor emeritus at the University of the Philippines-Manila’s College of Medicine, meningococcemia can be so severe as to cause death within 24 hours after initial onset of fever and purpuric rashes.

“We should realize that it is important for health-care workers to maintain a high index of suspicion and initiate rapid interventions if suspected,” Dr Ferdinand de Guzman said, medical specialist at San Lazaro Hospital, the national referral center for infectious diseases.

World Meningitis Day commemorated on April 24, a day set to appreciate patient stories, raise awareness of the signs and symptoms of the disease and encourage vaccination to prevent further cases.

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