MANILA - The University Health Service (UHS) at the University of the Philippines Diliman shut down its emergency room due to a possible case of meningococcemia.

The emergency room was temporarily transferred to VLP Room 3 "to allow for at least 48 hours of UV light disinfection" of the main emergency room, where the suspected meningococcemia patient was rushed.

"The apparent signs of septic shock and the rapid deterioration of the patient may lead us to consider the possibility of meningococcemia," UP Health Service Acting Director Jesusa Catabui said in a statement.

The patient who died on Thursday was not a confirmed case of the illness, nor was it the primary consideration of attending doctors, the University Health Service however said in a statement informing the community.

UHS said it already informed the Quezon City Health Office, which has since allowed the release of the patient's body. A contact tracing will also be done and hospital staff who directly participated in the resuscitative measures on the patient already received prophylaxis, it added.

Meningococcemia, which is endemic to Asia, may lead to organ failure, severe disability or death.

It may be transmitted through direct close contact with contaminated individuals or their respiratory discharges. Its contamination is seasonal and occurs mostly during colder months.

The disease is characterized by sudden onset of high fever for 24 hours, stiff neck, delirium; altered mental state; vomiting; cough; sore throat; pinpoint rashes that become wider and appear like bruises starting on the legs and arms; large map-like, bruise-like patches; severe skin lesions that may lead to gangrene; and unstable vital signs.

- Trishia Billones, ABS-CBN News