Rhianna Benson
The father of an 18-year-old who died after contracting meningococcal disease following an outbreak in Kent has spoken out.
Juliette had been a sixth-form student at Queen Elizabeth's Grammar School in Faversham before she was taken ill last week with a rare, invasive combination of both meningitis and septicaemia.
She and a 21-year-old student from the University of Kent tragically died on Saturday.
11 other young people are currently seriously ill in hospital, where they're receiving life-saving treatment.
Advert
30,000 other people in the Canterbury area have also been contacted by the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA), who've urged them to keep an eye on the emergence of any possible symptoms.
Those close to the cases have also been offered 'precautionary antibiotics', after the outbreak was deemed 'particularly large' by healthcare professionals.
Juliette's father has since told the BBC her family is 'beyond devastated' by their loss.
Her head teacher, Amelia McIlroy, also described the youngster as 'a genuinely caring and attentive listener, a true friend who listened with warmth, respect and sincere interest to her peers and to our staff'.
She added: "In short, she was a lovely girl."
Following the death of the as-yet-unnamed student, a University of Kent spokesperson claimed staff have been 'deeply saddened' by the news, as reported by The Guardian.
"Our thoughts are with the student’s family, friends and the wider university community at this extremely difficult time. The safety of our students and staff remains our highest priority," they said.
Meningococcal disease occurs when meningococcal bacteria make their way into the fluid that surrounds the brain and spinal cord, causing meningitis, and infect the blood, leading to sepsis.
Among the most common symptoms are widespread rash, sudden fever, severe headache, stiff neck, vomiting, and diarrhoea. Patients may also experience muscle and joint pain, light sensitivity, cold extremities, seizures, confusion, and fatigue.
UKHSA spokesperson, Dr Gayatri Amirthalingam revealed that the outbreak is thought to be linked to a nightclub event in Kent that took place across the 5, 6 and 7 March weekend.
Anyone who attended Club Chemistry over this period is being urged to 'come forward' to receive treatment as a 'precautionary measure'.
The club's owner, Louise Jones-Roberts, warned (as per The Independent): "We have been told somebody was in our club at the weekend who has since been diagnosed with meningitis.
"I’m devastated. I can’t imagine what the families are going through. Our thoughts are with the families."
She added: "Meningitis affects healthy, young people and this is devastating."
Amirthalingham claimed initial infections 'were taken extremely seriously', adding that public health teams in the idea had 'identifyied the closest contacts who would benefit from preventative antibiotics'.
The UKHSA's south-east deputy director, Trish Mannes, also warned: "Meningococcal disease can progress rapidly, so it’s essential that students and staff are alert to the signs and symptoms of meningococcal meningitis and septicaemia."
She added: "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."