Iloilo City, Aug. 4 -- A 58-year-old man succumbed to suspected meningococcemia, according to the initial report received by the Iloilo Provincial Health Office (IPHO) from the district hospital and the rural health unit of the Municipality of Miagao.

The patient started experiencing fever and body pain on July 30, which persisted until Aug. 2, this time with "purpuric rash and reduced sensorium," said Dr. Rodney Labis, head of the health service delivery division of IPHO on Monday.

"He was brought to Miagao first aid clinic but was referred immediately to the nearest district hospital, where he was admitted. Despite the management, the patient died on Aug. 3," Labis said in a media interview.

A specimen was taken from the patient and ...