University of Kent Student Survives Meningitis, Recalls Losing Sight and Speech
A University of Kent student who survived a severe meningitis infection has shared her harrowing experience, revealing she temporarily lost her ability to see and speak during the ordeal. Law student Annabelle Mackay, aged 21, told the BBC she feels profoundly grateful to be alive after being rushed to hospital with the life-threatening condition.
Suspected Infection During Night Out
Ms Mackay suspects she may have contracted meningitis during a night out at Club Chemistry in Canterbury on March 5, or possibly at another venue the evening before. Initially, she thought her symptoms were related to Covid-19 and took a test, which returned negative.
"Then I started to be quite delirious, and I wasn’t really making any sense and I was also really sensitive to light, so then that’s when I thought something was really, really wrong," Ms Mackay explained. Confusion and an aversion to bright lights are among the key symptoms of meningitis, according to health authorities.
Terrifying Symptoms and Hospitalisation
Other symptoms of meningitis and sepsis can include a high temperature, cold hands and feet, vomiting, muscle and joint pain, pale or blotchy skin, spots or a rash, headaches, a stiff neck, extreme sleepiness, and seizures. Footage shared with the BBC showed Ms Mackay, wearing a blindfold and headphones, being guided out of her home by a woman holding her arms.
The student recounted losing her ability to talk and has no memory of being transported to hospital by ambulance. "I was still in quite a state of delirium, and at that time I lost my sight as well, which was really scary, especially for my friends and family," she said. "I wasn’t paying as much attention to it because I was just in so much pain in my body that I didn’t have time to process that I couldn’t see, but it was definitely really scary for my family and my friends."
Focus on Recovery and Gratitude
Despite the trauma, Ms Mackay expressed deep thankfulness for her survival. "I feel so grateful to be alive and be here. I’m still dealing with the after-effects now, but I think I just need to focus on my recovery and getting better and back to myself," she stated, highlighting the ongoing challenges in her recuperation process.
Outbreak Concerns and Vaccine Demand
This personal story emerges amid growing concerns over a meningitis outbreak linked to Kent. On Friday, more than 100 students queuing for meningitis vaccines at the University of Kent campus in Canterbury were turned away due to high demand. Kent County Council’s director of public health, Anjan Ghosh, warned that "sporadic" household clusters could appear in other parts of the UK, indicating potential wider spread.
The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) reported earlier on Friday that the number of cases associated with the outbreak has increased to 29, up from 27. This includes 18 confirmed cases and an additional 11 probable cases, all with connections to Kent, according to the UKHSA. The situation underscores the urgency of public health responses and vaccination efforts to contain the infection.
