Baby girl fighting for life after horror meningitis outbreak declared ‘national incident’ | UK | News
The baby girl, who became the youngest person to fall ill during a deadly meningitis outbreak that has been declared a national incident, is in intensive care in London. Nine-month-old Nala-Rose Fletcher was being treated at Evelina London Children’s Hospital, and her condition was stated to be critical but stable.
His heartbroken family said the upcoming surgeries would be “life-changing” for him. A. JustGiving page It was founded to support the family and their “beautiful daughter” from Folkestone, Kent. “Nothing can truly prepare you for the pain and fear that comes with what we have been through and what we are still going through,” they wrote in an update.
“Nala-Rose remains in very poor condition and is in intensive care. We already know that she will face permanent difficulties for the rest of her life, and this is something we are just beginning to accept.”
The news came as the “once-in-a-generation” outbreak was declared a national event. Already two young people have died from the Meningitis B (MenB) strain. Sixth-grade student Juliette and a 21-year-old University of Kent student died due to the epidemic. 13 more people are in hospital.
It was understood that at least 11 people were traced to Chemistry nightclub in Canterbury. Club owner Louise Jones-Roberts said a member of staff had been confirmed to have meningitis and was receiving good treatment. He said more than 2,000 people would have visited the venue during the three dates set by health authorities (March 5, 6 and 7). Visitors now need to monitor their antibiotics.
Ms Jones-Roberts said: “I am devastated for the families affected. This is incredibly sad. I hope people know the symptoms and no more lives are lost.”
The UK Health Security Agency and NHS officials have warned that the “unprecedented explosion” of cases is the worst meningitis outbreak they have ever seen. The director general of the UK Health Security Agency, Dr. Susan Hopkins said: “This looks like a superspreader event that continues to spread in university halls of residence.
“This is the most cases of these types of infections I have seen in a single weekend in my 35 years of working in medicine, healthcare and hospitals.
“The explosiveness of it is unprecedented; the number of cases in such a short period of time.”
