Bacterial outbreak: Six dead in the Philippines

An air-borne bacterial outbreak has killed six people and ravaged the tourist industry at a northern &to=http:// english.pravda.ru/accidents/2003/03/05/44030.html ' target=_blank>Philippine mountain resort, officials said.

Local health officials said &to=http:// english.pravda.ru/accidents/ 21/97/384/13613_meningitis.html ' target=_blank>meningococcemia struck eight residents of the city of a quarter million people this month, killing five including four last week. An 11 year-old girl who suffered from symptoms associated with the disease also died in Manila last weekend, says Channel News Asia.

According to the Xinhua News, the Department of Health (DOH) has already submitted its report,stating that it can handle the spread of the disease, said presidential palace communications director Silvestre Afable.

The DOH report considered as sporadic incidents the cases in the northern city of Baguio and San Lazaro Hospital in Manila.

Health Undersecretary Antonio Lopez said meningococcemia is treatable, with cases being reported worldwide every year.

"There is a higher chance that you can get well from meningococcemia because the drugs needed to fight the sickness is not very sophisticated," he told the local DZMM radio station.