A mysterious death in Sabang?

Fortnightly Journal Investigative

The death of a 29 year young woman in Sabang, last Monday, April 17 created a lot of confusion and fear. Evelyn Bautista Secosana, born 1988 passed away after, what concerned citizens thought was caused by a dog-bite with rabies. The rabies virus infects the central nervous system, ultimately causing disease in the brain and death. Early symptoms of rabies in people are similar to that of many other illnesses, including fever, headache, and general weakness or discomfort. As the disease progresses, more specific symptoms appear and may include insomnia, anxiety, confusion, slight or partial paralysis, excitation, hallucinations, agitation, hypersalivation (increase in saliva), difficulty swallowing, and hydrophobia (fear of water). Death usually occurs within days of the onset of these symptoms.

Understandably, a highly contagious infection like rabies causes of lot of fear within any community, thus, the Fortnightly started to investigate the case immediately. After gathering more information, the case became even more confusing. All kinds of irregularities in the early report and statements of the death of Eva came to light. Initial reports reveal that the victim got bitten by a dog in their neighborhood on April 13 and that the victim was brought to the Puerto Galera Hospital to get an anti-rabies vaccine. She was dead days later on April 17, 2017 around 5 in the morning.

But, I could not believe that Eva was given a anti-rabies injection at the Municipal Hospital, as I knew for a fact, that no anti-rabies vaccine are on stock there. I went to Dr. Oca Evangelista’s trauma center in town to check the records, knowing that they have the vaccine stored. However, no record of Eva could be found at the clinic.

Curiously, no official complaint was filed, neither at the Barangay nor at the Municipal Police Station regarding a dog bite incident.

Background check revealed that Eva worked in a local girlie bar in Sabang. Rumors came up that she was into drugs and alcohol as well. Looking at her own Facebook page showed that the victim suspected, even before the incident with the dog occurred, that she might have a urinary tract infection (UTI), and that she felt unsafe and sometimes scared in her own house.

In order to find the true cause of her death, an autopsy would need to be performed. But who would pay for it? Her family is from Mindanao, and here, no one would have that kind of money, and in most cases, that would be the end of an investigation. But not this time, not in this case.

I called Mayor Rockey D. Ilagan and spoke to him about the seriousness of a possible rabies infection and the public heath risks if that would turn out to be true. Also, I raised my concerns about a possible foul play. The Mayor immediately called the Municipal Health Officer and the Chief of the Police and ordered them to conduct a serious investigation. Help from the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) was sought to get the necessary autopsy done which was conducted last Friday, April 21 in the early morning.

The result reveal that the death of Eva was caused by Tetanus, and Tetanus is caused by an infection with the bacterium Clostridium tetani, which is commonly found in soil, saliva, dust, and manure. The bacteria generally enter through a break in the skin such as a cut or puncture wound by a contaminated object. They produce toxins that interfere with muscle contractions, resulting in the typical symptoms. Diagnosis is based on the presenting signs and symptoms. The disease does not spread between people.

So, Eva’s death was not so mysterious as one thought it was, at least, no foul-play, no rabies infection.