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Date: 18/03/2019

Author: Minister Office

Source: MoPH

The Media Office of the Minister of Public Health Explains the Cause of Death of Melania Hajj and Marvin Hobeiqa

The Media Office of the Minister of Public Health Dr. Jamil Jabak issued the following statement on the death of Melania Mohamad Hajj at N.D. Maritime Hospital, Jbeil and the Champville school student Marvin Hobeica at St. George Hospital University Medical Center:

Following the tragic deaths of the two children in two different spaces and at different times, we would like to clarify the following:

The two cases are independent with different causes of death
The epidemiological surveillance and inspection teams of the Ministry are following up on the cases by taking samples from the bodies, undertaking the different lab examinations of the same to determine the type of disease or bacteria. It was just found that the death was caused by an acute bacteria streptococcus A that led to the failure of kidneys and cardiac arrest
There is no H1N1 nor Meningitis as rumored following the death of the children.

The issue was discussed with all the relevant departments and the epidemiological committee will held a meeting to study and assess the situation.

Concerning the death of the child Melania HAJJ:

The procedures of the forensic medical examination were closed because the parents did not accept to carry out autopsy.
The departments of the Ministry are still following up investigation with the competent authorities to ensure transparency and Objectivity.