‘Devastated’ family speak out after daughter, 18, dies in Meningitis outbreak

A picture one of the two people confirmed to have died in the meningitis outbreak in Kent, has been pictured.

The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) is currently investigating the outbreak after the meningitis was linked to a ‘Spring Fling’ music event at Club Chemistry in Canterbury on 5, 6, and 7 March – leading to numerous people developing the life-threatening condition, and hundreds receiving preventative antibiotic treatment as a ‘precautionary measure’.

While it isn’t yet known what type of meningitis injection that has been spread, many people in the UK are not routinely vaccinated against meningitis B, which is offered to teenagers at 14 years old.

Sadly, meningitis is an incredibly dangerous condition, and with symptoms that can easily be mistaken as a hangover or the flu, the delay in treatment can be deadly.

A meningitis outbreak has hit Kent (Photo by Carl Court/Getty Images)

Now, in the aftermath of the outbreak, Year 13 pupil in Faversham called Juliette and a student at the University of Kent have died, while others are in critical condition at this time.

Juliette, who was just 18, has since received an outpouring of love from her community after being pictured for the first time since her passing was announced.

Her father told the BBC that the family are ‘beyond devastated and they have no words to express their loss’.

The Queen Elizabeth's Grammar School student sadly died on Saturday (14 March) from the infection.

Juliette's head teacher, Amelia McIlroy, went on to call her ‘a genuinely caring and attentive listener, a true friend who listened with warmth, respect and sincere interest to her peers and to our staff’, stating that: "In short, she was a lovely girl.”

More than 30,000 people across Canterbury have since been contacted by the UKHSA about the outbreak, with Trish Mannes, UKHSA regional deputy director for the South East, urging people to be aware of symptoms.

Juliette was just 18 when she contracted the illness and passed away at the weekend (Family Handout)

"It's essential that students and staff are alert to the signs and symptoms of meningococcal meningitis and septicaemia, which can include a fever, headache, rapid breathing, drowsiness, shivering, vomiting and cold hands and feet," she said.

"Septicaemia can also cause a characteristic rash that does not fade when pressed against a glass. Students are particularly at risk of missing the early warning signs of meningitis because they can be easily confused with other illnesses such as a bad cold, flu or even a hangover."

According to the NHS, the symptoms of meningitis include the below, but it’s worth noting that not everyone will experience all of them:

• Fever
• A very bad headache
• Vomiting
• Stiff neck
• Dislike of bright lights
• Rash
• Confusion or delirium
• Severe sleepiness, losing consciousness
• Fits

A complication of meningitis includes developing blood poisoning or sepsis, so getting checked quickly is key to catching it.