WHO Infection Control Investigating Meningococcemia
Recombinomics Commentary
January 14, 2005
>> How serious is the requirement for foreign countries can be seen from the arrival of Dr. Gerald Dziekan, infection control expert for the Western Pacific Region of the World Health Organization, who is in Baguio investigating all the reported cases of meningoccocemia.(sic)
"We are taking this very seriously….We are making sure that the cases, the symptoms of which fit other diseases, are meningococcemia," he said.<<
Reinforcements by the WHO are welcome. The meningo-like disease has spread far and wide in the Philippines. Media reports indicate over 80 cases have been noted in the Philippines, and since there have only been 8 reported confirmed cases, the etiological agent is important.
It would seem that even cases positive for Neisseria Meningitidis A could be secondary infections. The case fatality rate of 68% coupled with human to human transmission warrants a full investigation, including testing for H5N1 bird flu.
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