A teenager who died of meningococcus after attending the Spilled Milk music festival in Canberra has saved five lives as an organ donor.
New South Wales Health announced on monday Ally Behan, 18, was the third person to die in the state this year from the disease.
After returning from the festival on November 26 to her home in Manyana on the south coast of New South Wales, Ms. Behan fell ill and was taken to Canberra Hospital for treatment, where she sadly died.
But a beautiful final act saved five lives.
“Ally loved helping people and that’s what she did in her final hours by giving the incredible gift of donating her organs, which saved the lives of five different people, one of whom is a small child,” said the Ms Behan’s family in a statement. statement provided to Nine.
She was described as a caring and loyal young woman who was “always there for anyone” and loved animals.
“Anyone who has known Ally will know that there are no words to describe the widespread devastation felt at the loss of our beautiful girl,” the family said.
“Ally was young, energetic, and loved her family and friends. She was beautiful both inside and out, she loved to laugh and enjoyed jokes.
“She was very close with her mom, dad and her older brother. Family was important to Ally, that she was so close to her grandparents, aunts, uncles, and cousins, who were always there for a cheeky 4am phone call.”
Ms. Behan had just graduated from Ulladulla High School.
The NSW Department of Education said they were deeply saddened by the tragic death of Ms Behan and additional counseling and wellbeing support was being provided for all affected students and staff.
Health experts have warned attendees of the popular Spilled Milk Music Festival in Canberra to check for symptoms.
Meningococcal disease is a rare but serious and sometimes fatal infection.
On Wednesday, the Victorian Department of Health confirmed that another 18-year-old who had attended Schoolies in Maroochydore, Queensland, had been infected.
Anyone who visited the city of the Sunshine Coast between November 26 and December 2 was told to watch for symptoms and act “immediately” if they appear.
“People who suspect symptoms of this disease should seek medical attention immediately; early treatment for meningococcus saves lives,” said Deputy Director of Health Deborah Friedman.
“Close contact between young people at events like Schoolies may have put them at a higher risk of contracting this infection.”
Health authorities say the disease is caused by specific strains of bacteria found in the upper respiratory tract, which commonly infect children under the age of five and people ages 15 to 25.
So far this year, there have been more than 100 cases of meningococcus in Australia, according to the executive director of the Australian Meningitis Centre, Karen Quick.
“The last few weeks it has reached its peak; spring and around Christmas time is when we see the most cases,” she said.
Ms. Quick also noted that there was a higher number of cases this year. Most cases have been due to meningococcus B.
Authorities have not said what strain of the disease Ms Behan had, but Ms Quick said The Times of Canberra the adolescent was not vaccinated against strain B. It is the only common strain not included in the free meningococcal vaccine offered to Year 10 students.
Babies can receive the meningococcal B vaccine starting at six weeks of age and the meningococcal ACWY vaccine at 12 months.
meningococcal symptoms
- Severe, unexplained pain in the extremities
- difficulty waking up
- High-pitched cry in babies
- Intense headache
- Annoyed by bright lights
- Stiff neck
- Red-purple rash that does not go away when pressed with a glass
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