Meningo resurgence in Cordillera more dangerous than swine flu

EDITORIAL

BAGUIO CITY – The Department of Health in the Cordillera warned residents to be on alert for expected recurrence of the dreaded meningococcemia virus during the rainy months and people must keep healthy to prevent infection.

The advisory was issued by health authorities in the light of the ongoing awareness campaign on the Influenza A (H1N1) virus which is nearing a pandemic level because of the rapid increase in confirmed and suspected cases in the different parts of the world.

Dr. Myrna Cabotaje, regional DOH director, said the three-year lifespan of the vaccine against the meningo virus will end this year, thus, appropriate information have already been given to the different health authorities region-wide to be on alert for the expected rise in the number of meningococcemia cases.

In 2005, Baguio suffered a huge setback in terms of tourist arrivals which extended to several months after local officials made statements on the presence of a number of meningococcemia cases that caused panic among local residents and tourists. As a result, the local tourism industry nearly collapsed because of a sudden drop in tourist arrivals due to fear of being affected with the dreaded disease.

Cabotaje said meningococcemia is far more dangerous than the current A (H1N1) virus because of its effect to human beings. For the past years, meningococcemia and dengue fever had claimed the lives of a number of Filipinos compared to the A (H1N1) as the latter has still no recorded deaths but is spreading rapidly. Prevention is better than cure. So before you are afflicted with deadly viruses like meningococcemia or A (H1N1), take the necessary precautions.