Teenager dies within hours of first meningitis symptoms in England amid new outbreak of infection
The father of a ’kind-hearted’ teenager paid tribute to his son who died just a few hours after feeling ill due to a meningitis infection.
Lewis Waters, a student at Henley College in Oxfordshire, was one of three cases linked to the latest outbreak of the deadly illness, known for its rapid progression.
Two other cases have been reported in Reading, affecting a pupil at the Blue Coat School, and another at Highdown Secondary School and Sixth Form Centre, according to the UK infection watchdog.
Lewis’s heartbroken father, Sean Waters, posted on social media today: ’Words simply can’t describe the heartbreak and upset we’re going through.’
Mr. Waters stated that Lewis’s condition progressed to sepsis ’within a few hours of feeling ill.’
He continued: ’He fought hard and was really looked after by the ICU team, but they just couldn’t save him.’
’We are absolutely devastated.’
Lewis was ’funny, sociable, and kind-hearted,’ and he ’loved his sisters, friends, and family dearly,’ the father said.
’Life won’t be the same for many of us now that he’s gone.’
The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) said that all the close contacts of affected pupils have been given antibiotics as a precautionary measure.
Following the recent infections, the UKHSA has stated it is considering whether more teenagers should be vaccinated against meningitis.
In March, an outbreak of MenB resulted in the deaths of two young people, bringing attention to the illness as thousands of people sought antibiotics while pharmacy supplies ran out.
However, the health watchdog said the latest infection is not the same strain of MenB linked to the Kent outbreak.
Vaccine coverage for young people against meningitis B fell sharply after the Covid-19 pandemic.
Head of Investigations
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