“This can be avoided”: the anger of Juliette’s father, who died of meningitis in less than 12 hours in the United Kingdom

“The pain caused by his loss is immeasurable for us.” A few days after the death of his daughter Juliette, an 18-year-old high school student, Michael Perry spoke in a press release sent to Press Association. “The mark left by Juliette must be that of lasting change. It is now time to protect families from the ravages of meningitis B,” he said.

Juliette Perry died on March 14 in the United Kingdom, just a few hours after showing the first symptoms of the disease. “Juliette fought courageously for hours, but despite the exceptional dedication of the NHS hospital staff who accompanied her, meningitis took her away less than 12 hours later,” explains the father, who pays tribute to his daughter’s “positive and radiant” energy.

“No family should experience such pain”

It all starts on the morning of Friday March 13. The young woman vomited, “without any other symptoms”. “We took her to the local emergency room because discoloration had appeared on her cheeks. He was given antibiotics,” says Michael Perry. Surrounded by her loved ones, Juliette died a few hours later.

“We were with her until the end, and the last sounds she heard were the voices of those who loved her telling her how much she was loved and cherished,” her father recalled. “No family should experience such pain and such tragedy,” he adds, recalling that “this can be avoided” thanks to the vaccine.

In addition to the schoolgirl, a 21-year-old University of Kent student also died from the disease in the south-east of England. The meningococcal meningitis epidemic increased from 27 to 29 cases, including 15 confirmed, according to a report from health authorities published Friday.

Of the 15 confirmed cases, nine are cases of meningococcus B, specifies the British health security agency, which describes an “unusual” situation in terms of its speed and spread.

Meningococcal infections can be fatal without prompt treatment. And even with support, they can leave more or less serious after-effects. This rare infection particularly affects young people, particularly in collective environments.