Gold Coast woman Bella Fidler’s sudden death in just 24 hours

Days after returning from a “girls’ trip” to Bali, a 23-year-old Gold Coast woman fell ill – just 24 hours later she died.

Bella Fidler died from the Meningococcal B strain of meningitis. Picture: Meningitis Centre Australia

A 23-year-old woman from the Gold Coast, who had just returned from a trip to Bali with mates, went from feeling fine to dying within 24 hours, her devastated parents have said.

Bella Fidler thought she might have caught Covid-19, but by the time it was discovered she had a deadly strain of meningitis, it was tragically too late to save her.

Now Ms Fidler’s parents are calling for a vaccine for the deadly meningococcal B strain of meningitis to be made more widely available.

Meningitis is an infection and inflammation of fluid and membranes around the brain and spinal cord. Left untreated, bacterial meningitis in particular can in some cases quickly kill.

“Bella was one of the most beautiful girls on the outside, but she also had the kindest soul on the inside,” Ms Fidler’s father Blair said in a piece for the Meningitis Centre Australia.

Bella Fidler died from the meningococcal B strain of meningitis. Picture: Meningitis Centre Australia

She had recently completed a bachelor of law and a bachelor of government and international relations at university.

“2023 was going to be her year to start making the impact on the world she always dreamt of,” her dad said.

Sadly, she didn’t make it to her own graduation ceremony.

In December last year, Ms Fidler went on a “girls’ trip” to the Indonesian island to celebrate the end of her studies, her dad said.

Days later, she complained of having a temperature but it eased after taking pain killers. While she began to feel better initially, by 1.30am the next morning she woke her parents saying “I just don’t feel right”.

Mr Fidler said there were none of the “classic meningitis signs” such as a stiff neck, rashes or headache.

She was rushed to hospital in Tugun, close to Gold Coast Airport.

It took around 24 hours for Ms Fidler to succumb to meningitis. Picture: Meningitis Centre Australia.

‘Within hours our lives were shattered’

“A week after returning from Bali, Bella walked into hospital in the early hours of the morning with flu-like symptoms, which she thought might have been Covid,” Mr Fidler said.

“Once there, she rapidly became critically ill, and the doctors eventually diagnosed her with bacterial meningitis.”

She had a seizure from which she never regained consciousness.

“As is the case for many other people who contract meningococcal, by the time a diagnosis is made, it’s too late to avoid serious neurological damage, loss of limbs or death.

“Within hours our lives were shattered by the devastating news that Bella had suffered extensive brain damage and was not expected to survive.”

There are two main types of meningitis. Viral meningitis can be a complication of other viral illnesses, like mumps, and can often be relatively mild and treatable. Bacterial meningitis can be more dangerous and is caused by germs that live often in the nose and throat. While the carrier might not be affected, they can pass it onto someone else who may then fall ill.

One train of bacterial meningitis, haemophilus influenzae type B, has a five per cent death rate.

In adults the symptoms of meningitis can be vague – such as a fever and headache. But if someone has a stiff neck or joints, discomfort looking at bright lights, a purple-red rash and drowsiness or confusion, medical attention should be considered particularly if several of the symptoms occur.

The bacteria that can cause meningitis.

Call to widen access to vaccine

Ms Fidler’s parents said they were “confused” at first why their daughter had succumbed to meningitis as she had been vaccinated for it at school.

But they found out that most Australian childhood immunisation programs only include meningococcal ACWY and not meningococcal B vaccines. That’s even though a vaccine for the latter, deadlier, strain is available and is a prevalent form of meningitis in Australia.

The two-course vaccine costs $200. Only South Australia provides a meningococcal B jab as standard to school kids.

“With a lack of awareness in the community about this hidden danger, it remains either out of reach or out of mind for the vast majority in the community,” Mr Fidler said.

The Fidlers care calling for more access to the Meningococcal B jab.

The family is calling for Queensland to include meningococcal B in the course of jabs given at school.

“We are so grateful to have cherished Bella in our lives for her short 23 years. There are so many happy memories we can share,” Mr Fidler said.

“She taught us many things, but by far the most important lesson is to unapologetically live your life. Do what you want and don’t put things off. Work hard, but enjoy your life and live it to the fullest.”

Originally published as Gold Coast woman Bella Fidler’s sudden death in just 24 hours