Killed by a tick bite... from holiday 11 years ago
‘We took her to a private clinic’
A FAMILY has blamed their daughter’s death on a tick bite during a trip to Australia 11 years ago.
Carly Ellis, 39, was found dead in her bed by her parents Ian and Cheryl at their home in Gloucester last month.
She had fallen ill after returning from her trip, and was initially diagnosed with meningitis before being told she had Lyme disease. She was given a course of antibiotics and told the infection would soon clear.
But her condition did not improve and – despite further treatment – she suffered years of illnesses and infections.
Now her devastated parents say that she eventually succumbed to the disease, which they believe stemmed from 2008 when she was bitten by a tick during her ten months of travelling. ‘We think that she was bitten in Rockness Island in Australia,’ said her mother, 62.
At the time, Miss Ellis, who worked at a racecourse, reported a red ring around her bite, but thought nothing of it.
Mr Ellis, 63, said: ‘Carly wanted to travel the world. She was outgoing and bubbly. Before she became unwell and had the illnesses, she was non-stop.’
In 2011, Miss Ellis became ill and was taken to Gloucestershire Royal Hospital, where she was diagnosed with meningitis.
After four months of treatment she was allowed home, but soon returned for more tests – and was told she had Lyme disease.
Mrs Ellis said: ‘Carly was given two weeks’ worth of antibiotics. They said that it would clear her. We took her to a private clinic as things were not resolved. They tested her and they confirmed she had Lyme disease.
‘She was treated with two types of antibiotics for around six months. She was given oral antibiotics and she needed to have injections as well. We went to the clinic with Carly around six times over a year.’
Mr Ellis said: ‘When Carly was bitten, she did not really think anything of it.
‘But what she described was a classic sign of Lyme disease when a red ring came up around the bite.
‘If it is caught straight away, then a two-week course of antibiotics should treat it.’
During her eight years of illness Miss Ellis suffered from sepsis, pneumonia and had her gallbladder removed.
There are an estimated 3,000 cases of Lyme disease in the UK each year. Victims of tick bites can go months before realising they have been affected.
Rosie Milsom, of the Caudwell LymeCo Charity, said: ‘Awareness and prevention is absolutely key when it comes to Lyme disease.
‘If spotted early, it can be treated with a simple course of antibiotics, but can become very debilitating if not spotted sooner.
‘Many sufferers become virtually or completely housebound – like Carly – and experience life-changing pain and fatigue.
‘It’s important that people are aware of the risks of receiving a tick bite, and where they might be at risk, such as in forests, long grass, and when they’re going camping or having picnics.
‘Simple steps such as wearing light-coloured clothing so you can spot ticks and brush them off, and wearing insect repellent on exposed skin can help prevent a bite.’