Meningitis student ‘unable to see, move or speak’ after calling NHS | UK | News
Annabelle Mackay fell ill after celebrating her 21st birthday at the nightclub at the center of the deadly outbreak. When he was later found unconscious at his home in Canterbury, Kent, the law student was taken to an urgent care centre.
Speaking last night, Annabelle said: “If it hadn’t been for my mum and my flatmates I would have died. I’m so grateful they acted so quickly and didn’t seek advice from the NHS 111 helpline. By the time they walked me out our door half an hour later my body was starting to shut down.”
Doctors at the hospital confirmed the young woman had meningitis type B, which triggered the latest outbreak in Canterbury and is suspected elsewhere. Two people have died so far, including a student at the University of Kent.
Annabelle is one of 15 people affected by the virus; There are also two people who died and a nine-month-old girl in intensive care. Annabelle, a second-year law student, said she “couldn’t see, move or talk” during her difficult time.
The young woman told the Sun she attended the party at Club Chemistry in Canterbury from March 4 until 3am on March 5. The UK Health Safety Agency (UKHSA) is tracking anyone who visited Club Chemistry on 5, 6 or 7 March for antibiotics.
The owner said a nightclub employee was being treated for meningitis. Annabelle began feeling unwell last Tuesday, March 10, and her condition worsened until she called 911 on the 11th with symptoms of neck stiffness, light sensitivity, and high fever.
After a 16-minute evaluation meeting held shortly after 3 p.m., he was reportedly advised to stay home.
But less than half an hour later his mother, Laura May, 57, spoke on the phone and pleaded with her flatmates to get help. Annabelle continued: “When the woman on 111 told me to stay at home, I said, ‘Are you sure?’ I asked. But he told me to stay there and drink water. “I called my mom and she immediately knew there was something wrong with me.”
Two days later, Annabelle’s vision began to improve. He is currently awaiting further evaluation.
He added: “We were just in Chemistry for about half an hour then we went to a club called the Venue. I shared drinks there and was there all night so I may have caught it there.”
UKHSA contacted him on March 13 to find out who he had been in contact with following his diagnosis. He expressed confusion as to why the UKHSA stated that no cases had been reported on 14 March.
Louise Jones-Roberts, owner of Club Chemistry, commented: “I am devastated for the families affected. This is incredibly sad. I hope people know the symptoms and no more lives are lost.”
