The family of a grammar school pupil who died in the Kent meningitis outbreak has said they are “beyond devastated” at the loss.
The family of Juliette, 18, who have requested for her surname to not be publicised, have released a picture of her after she died on Saturday.
The sixth-form student lived in Whitstable with her father Michael, 46, mother Rebecca, 49, and older sister Florence, 20.
Her father told the BBC her family are “beyond devastated and they have no words to express their loss”.
And her grandmother, Linda, said she could not bring herself to “say anything otherwise I will cry”.
She added the family was now taking antibiotics after visiting Juliette while in hospital.
The headteacher of Queen Elizabeth’s Grammar in Faversham, Amelia McIlroy, said the 18-year-old was an “incredibly kind, thoughtful and intelligent” person.
She said Juliette “embraced everything school had to offer” and added she would be hugely missed.
Mrs McIlroy said the school was “continuing to work closely with the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA)” to ensure the safety of the school community.
Juliette, 18, died on Saturday after contracting meningitis in the latest outbreak
The outbreak has been linked to an event at Club Chemistry in Canterbury, which the affected had recently attended.
The UKHSA released a message on social media urging those who attended the club on March 5, 6, or 7 to receive antibiotic treatment from one of four locations, including the Senate building at University of Kent.
Other locations include the Gate Clinic at Kent and Canterbury Hospital, Westage Hall in Canterbury, and the Carey Building at Thanet Hub.
The agency also released a list of symptoms to be aware of, including high fever, severe headache, vomiting, joint muscle pain, and rashes.
People who attended the 1,600-capacity venue and have symptoms are asked to call 999 or head to A&E.
The club owner said more than 2,000 people would have attended across the three dates.
LATEST ON THE KENT MENINGITIS OUTBREAK:
Students and staff lined outside the Senate building to receive antibiotics after two young people have died
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A 21-year-old student from the University of Kent also died after contracting the fatal disease, and 11 others are left seriously ill.
Two Year 13 pupils from other schools have contracted meningitis B.
One student from Simon Langton Grammar School for Boys was admitted to hospital with the meningitis, and another from Norton Knatchbull School in Ashford.
More than 30,000 students and staff at the University of Kent were alerted to stay aware of symptoms, and the university has now moved some exams online and delayed in-person exams.
Queues snaked outside the university’s senate building after students were issued an urgent appeal to make themselves known.
Students at the university have been seen wearing masks inside their own flats.
One of the two who have died from meningitis is a 21-year-old student from the University of Kent
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An ambulance was seen parked on the institution’s grounds, with paramedics dressed in protective clothing and face masks.
Meningitis is spread through close contact, such as kissing, and some people believe that sharing vapes could have transmitted the infection throughout the club.
Meningitis B has a vaccine, ACWY-135, which was introduced in 2015, and is received by teenagers between the ages of 13 and 14 in Year Nine.
The vaccine was introduced in 2015, so most adults born before that date remain unvaccinated against the disease.
Those who attended night club Chemistry on March 5, 6, or 7 have been asked to go to one of four sites in Kent to receive antibiotics
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Health campaigners have called for the vaccine to be more widespread, despite the Joint Committee on Vaccination (JCVI) and Immunisation not recommending the vaccine for young adults and adolescents.
A Department of Health and Social Care spokesman said: “Our thoughts go to the family and friends of those who have lost a loved one to meningitis.
“Decisions on vaccination programmes are made following careful consideration of independent expert advice from the JCVI and it does not currently recommend a routine MenB booster vaccination for adolescents and young adults.
“We continue to follow JCVI advice, which routinely reviews new evidence as it emerges.”
