Ballarat woman dies from meningococcal, prompts health warning

TRIBUTES are flowing for a young Ballarat woman who died suddenly of meningococcal disease sparking a health warning for those in close contact with her.

A young Ballarat woman has died of meningococcal sparking a health warning for students and friends who may have come into close contact with her. Picture: Visit Ballarat

Tributes are flowing for a Victorian teen who died suddenly on Wednesday night from Meningococcal disease in Ballarat.

Students at Ballarat’s Loreto College and Australian Catholic University’s are in mourning following the death of the 19-year-old on Wednesday night.

The Department of Health yesterday confirmed a young Ballarat woman had died of meningococcal, but said it was still working to confirm the type of invasive infection.

In a letter to parents Loreto College principal Judith Potter praised the teenager as being a former student who was a “wonderful role-model for her peers through her active engagement in all aspects of school life”.

“Her commitment to building a just world is evident in her participation in the 2016 ‘Alternative to Schoolies’ wherein she travelled to Cambodia, supporting children in an orphanage,” Ms Potter said.

“In the words of one of her teachers, ‘she was full of life and her enthusiasm at times seemed to just bubble over and fill the room’.”

Friends of the victim, who was a former student at Loreto College, have taken to social media to pay tribute to the teen.

“You didn’t deserve this, one of the most beautiful girls I’ve ever met. Rest in peace, you will always be in our hearts,” Gabby Kernick wrote on Facebook.

“RIP. We’ll all miss you. I hope all friends and family are all right,” Candace Martin wrote

Department of Health spokesman Tim Vainoras said health officers were working with

the Australian Catholic University where the teenager was studying, as well as other local schools, to provide information to students and families.

Mr Vainoras said the risk to other students is “very low”.

“We extend our deepest sympathies to the family at this tragic time and are respecting their privacy,” he said.

“The Department is working closely with Ballarat Base Hospital, and is undertaking all necessary public health actions, which includes identifying close contacts and providing clearance antibiotics.”

This year 23 confirmed cases of invasive meningococcal disease have been detected, however this is the first fatality.

Last November Melbourne teenager Matthew Wilkins died of meningococcal disease less than a fortnight after completing his Year 12 exams.

According to the Department of Health, meningococcal bacteria live in the back of the nose and throat for about one in 10 people without causing illness, but can cause meningococcal disease when a particular strain passes through the lining of the throat and enters the bloodstream.

Symptoms of the disease include fever, headache, vomiting, stiff neck or sore muscles followed, in some cases, by a red-purple rash.

The bacteria can be passed from person to person only by close and prolonged or intimate contact.