Meningitis victim to be buried as school reopens
THE six-year-old girl who died after contracting meningitis is to be laid to rest tomorrow morning.
Kayla Carey’s death has left her hometown of Navan, Co Meath, devastated, with prayers also pouring in for her relative who was diagnosed with the illness too.
Kayla died at Temple Street Hospital on Thursday night, a short time after she was rushed there for treatment.
Her grieving mother Geraldine Campbell took to Facebook to break the heartbreaking news. “My little princess didn’t make it. RIP Kayla, Mammy loves you and can’t believe this,” she wrote.
The funeral Mass for Kayla will take place in St Mary’s Church, Navan, at 10.30am tomorrow.
“Kayla will be sadly missed by her heartbroken parents Geraldine and Martin, sister Faith, brother Brooklyn, grandparents, aunts, uncles, grand aunts, grand uncles, cousins, relatives and a large circle of friends,” her death notice reads.
The two children with meningitis attended the same school – Scoil Mhuire in Navan, Co Meath – and were diagnosed on Thursday.
The six-year-old’s older relative is said to be currently in a “stable condition” in hospital. All students and staff were sent home as a precaution and psychologists from National Educational Psychological Service will provide support to staff today.
Speaking to the Irish Independent, principal Colm Devlin said the decision to open the school today came following advice from the HSE.
Mr Devlin said: “We were assured that the pupils who didn’t spend considerable time in the affected pupils’ presence are in no danger whatsoever.”
He added that he was very grateful for the support the HSE provided the parents in Kayla and her relative’s classes.
“I extended that invitation to all parents of the school because I’m aware of the high and understandable level of concern,” he said.
“Our hearts go out to both child’s parents and of course we’ll be there for them and anyone else affected during this very sad time.”
Dr Paul Kavanagh of the HSE said: “Our thoughts in the first instance are clearly with the families of these two children, and particularly with the family of the child who sadly and tragically died.
“We are obviously very much aware of the anxiety that is being experienced locally and our focus is to ensure appropriate public health measures are put in place.
“Our medical experts are working closely with the school where they attended, advising and supporting parents, guardians and teachers. They are also working with the clinical staff who cared for the cases and their families.”
Meningitis is a serious illness involving inflammation of the membranes covering the brain and spinal cord and can be caused by a variety of different germs, mainly bacteria and viruses.
Kayla’s grieving mum wrote: ‘My little princess didn’t make it. RIP Kayla, Mammy loves you and can’t believe this’