Tributes for lost teen
Heartbroken community mourns girl with ‘radiant smile’
TRIBUTES are flowing for the Hobart teenager with a “radiant smile” who lost her life this week due to meningococcal infection.
Members of Tasmania’s close-knit dressage community are encouraging those who knew the vibrant and talented teenager to ride in her honour.
The teenager became the first Tasmanian to contract the deadly infection this year. The Mercury is not naming her out of respect for her family.
In a tribute to her horseriding friend, another young dressage enthusiast said her heart was broken.
“Thank you gorgeous girl for making our world brighter, no matter how dull it feels at the moment,” the post said.
Tasmanian health authorities are considering wider vaccination measures against meningococcal while they wait for tests to determine which strain of the disease killed the youngster. There are five main strains of meningococcal — A, B, C, W and Y.
Public Health director Mark Veitch said a vaccination for meningococcal A, C, W and Y is part of the National Immunisation Program and free for children aged 12 months while the meningococcal B vaccine is available on private prescription.
The State Government funded a free meningococcal W vaccine for teens aged 15-19 years between the end of term three of last year and April 30 this year in response to a sharp rise in W strain cases last year.
Dr Veitch said he encouraged anyone born between 1997 and 2003 who had not been vaccinated to access it through their GP.
Acting Health Minister Elise Archer said she was sure health officials would be considering access to wider vaccines in the wake of the death.
Ms Archer encouraged people to contact their GP if they were concerned they had symptoms of the meningococcal infection — which are similar to the fever and aches and pains associated with influenza.
Those closest to the deceased teenager are being monitored by health officials.
Dressage Tasmania has extended its condolences to her family and expressed shock at the news.
“[Her] radiant smile, her grace, her humour, her talent, have touched everyone she met,” a post from the club said.
“To [her] legion of friends, we say, take care of each other and hug your parents, friends and family every day.”
A coronial investigation into the girl’s death has been opened.
There were 16 confirmed Tasmanian cases of meningococcal last year and a visitor from WA, 19-year-old Lloyd Dunham, died in the Royal Hobart Hospital in August.