Tragedy first struck the Faversham community on Saturday. Juliette, an 18-year-old sixth form pupil at Queen Elizabeth’s Grammar School, unbelievably died from complications with invasive meningitis. As the epidemic continues, it has gone in a dire direction. It’s already taken one life—a 21-year-old University of Kent student—and sent eleven others to the hospital—sending local health authorities in the usually idyllic Canterbury area into a tizzy.
In their statement, Juliette’s family said they were without words to convey their sadness and that they have “lost all joy in life.” The suddenness of her death has understandably shocked her friends, family and educators. Amelia, head teacher at Queen Elizabeth’s Grammar School, said Juliette was “the most loveliest of girls.” She portrayed her as a confidante who hears fellow students and teachers with compassion, dignity, and authentic curiosity.
The strain behind this most recent outbreak is MenB, the UK’s predominant cause of meningococcal meningitis. Routine immunisations against MenB were introduced for babies and young children from early 2015. Unfortunately, current students such as Juliette missed out on this vaccine. They are not included because they fall outside of the age group overall that the program targets. In addition to preventing MenW disease, vaccinations against other strains of meningitis are provided to children at age 13 or 14 years through school vaccination programs.
Health officials say the widespread outbreak is likely related to a night club party. This immersive event then happened at Club Chemistry in Canterbury on March 5, 6 or 7. This event is believed to be the initial source of all the infections that have rocked the Goshen community and beyond.
Local resident, Crystal MacPherson conveyed her fears about the outbreak. As she put it, “You have people dying — it’s pretty nuts.” The community must contend with the hard realities of this evolving health emergency. In addition to this burden, they are grieving Juliette and others who have suffered from meningitis.
Local health authorities remain in close communication while thoroughly investigating and responding to the ongoing outbreak. In the meantime, they encourage anyone who was at the event on Club Chemistry to stay vigilant. As a part of this advocacy, they have educated people to go to the doctor if they start having the classic symptoms of meningitis.
