Student left ‘blind and unable to stroll’ after catching meningitis at twenty first party
Annabelle Mackay, 21, was left unable to see, move or speak after contracting meningitis B at Club Chemistry nightclub in Canterbury, where two people have died in the deadly outbreak
University of Kent students queue for medication(Image: PA)
A law student was left “unable to see, move or speak” after being rushed to hospital with meningitis. Annabelle Mackay became ill following her 21st birthday celebrations at the nightclub at the epicentre of the lethal outbreak.
She was later discovered collapsed at her shared accommodation in Canterbury, Kent, and swiftly taken to an urgent care centre. Speaking last night, Annabelle said: “I’d be dead if it wasn’t for my mum and housemates.
“I am so grateful for how quickly they acted and for not taking advice from the NHS 111 helpline. My body had started to shut down by the time they carried me out of our door half an hour later.”
Hospital doctors confirmed that she had contracted meningitis B, the strain responsible for the recent outbreak across Canterbury and suspected to be present elsewhere. To date, two people have died, including a student from the University of Kent.
Annabelle, a second-year law student, told The Sun that during her ordeal she was unable to “see, move or speak”.
She had partied at Club Chemistry in Canterbury until 3am on March 5th. The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) is tracking everyone who visited the venue on March 5th, 6th or 7th to provide them with antibiotics. A staff member at the nightclub has received treatment for meningitis, according to the business owner, reports the Mirror.
Annabelle initially began feeling unwell last Tuesday, March 10, then her condition worsened until she rang 111 on the 11th with neck stiffness, light sensitivity, and a high fever. It’s reported that, after a 16-minute assessment call just after 3pm, she was advised to remain at home.
However, less than 30 minutes afterwards, her mum Laura May, 57, pleaded with her housemates to seek assistance. Annabelle continued: “When the 111 woman told me to stay home, I was like, ‘Are you sure?’ But she told me to stay put and drink water. I called Mum and she knew straightaway something was very wrong with me.”
Annabelle’s vision began to return after two days. She is awaiting assessments. She added: “We were only in Chemistry for about half an hour then went to a club called Venue. I shared drinks there and was there all night so I might have caught it there.”
The UKHSA contacted her on March 13 to ask who she had been in contact with following her diagnosis. She said she is baffled as to why the UKHSA has said no cases were reported on March 14.
Louise Jones-Roberts, owner of Club Chemistry, had said: “I’m devastated for the families affected. It’s so incredibly sad. I just really hope people know the symptoms and no more lives are lost.”
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