Manila hospital closes ER due to suspected meningo case

The Emergency room of Gat. Andres Bonifacio Memorial Medical Center (GABMM) in Tondo, Manila, has been temporarily closed starting Wednesday due to a suspected meningococcemia case.

"For information: The Emergency Room of Gabmmc is temporarily closed as part of standard safety procedure and infection control protocol because of a patient with suspected (pinaghihinalaan lamang) meningococcal infection," the hospital said in a statement on Facebook.

However, according to Yapendon Fresco, an infectious disease specialist, there is no cause for panic.

"Hindi madaling makahawa ang meningococcemia. Hindi tulad ng tigdas o bulutong na sobrang nakakahawa," he said in a separate Facebook post.

The infection is said to be transmitted through droplet and contact transmission.

"Kapag na singhot ang hangin na may bacteria na nanggaling sa ilong ng isang carrier o may sakit pwede mahawa ang naka singhot," Fresco said. "Ang bacteria ay hindi nabubuhay sa hangin ng matagal kaya ang nahahawa lang ay yung malapit sa pasyente (3-5 ft distance)."

He added, "Maaari din mahawa kung likido tulad ng sipon at dugo ng carrier o pasyente ay dumapo o madikit sa mata o sa bibig ng ibang tao."

Fresco urged the public not to panic and simply consult a doctor if they are exhibiting symptoms, like fever accompanied with rashes. 

GABMM, meanwhile, said other operations are not affected by the ER's closure,  including the out-patient department. It aims to open its ER operations on Thursday. —Kaela Malig/KBK, GMA News