A 41-year-old tricycle driver from Cadiz City, Negros Occidental, died from suspected meningococcemia and as a precautionary measure prophylaxis has been given to people who came in close contact with him, Mayor Patrick Escalante said yesterday.

The tricycle driver from Talabaan in Barangay Zone 1, Cadiz City, whose name was being withheld, showed signs of meningococcemia but died from cardiac arrest at the Corazon Locsin Montelibano Memorial Regional  Hospital in Bacolod City at 4:15 a.m. yesterday, Provincial Health Officer Ernell Tumimbang said.

It has not been confirmed that the driver died of the deadly meningococcemia, which can only be determined by laboratory tests, he added.

Dr. Epifania Simbul, CLMMRH chief, said the patient showed symptoms of meningococcemia but they cannot conclusively say that it was the cause of his death.

The deadly bacteria can be spread from person to person through respiratory droplets – one may become infected if you are around someone with the condition when they sneeze or cough.

Tumimbang said prophylaxis to protect those who came in contact with the tricycle driver has been administered. Rifampicin has been given to adults and Ciprofloxacin to minors, he said.

The mayor said one day before the tricycle driver was taken ill he had attended a reunion at the Dr. Vicente Gustilo Memorial National High School in Cadiz City.

The mayor said he and all those who may have come in contact with the driver have taken the antibiotic required as a precaution.*CPG

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