The family of a teenager who died following a meningitis outbreak have shared a picture of her as they said they were “beyond devastated”.
The 18-year-old, who was a pupil at the Queen Elizabeth’s Grammar School, is one of two people who have died following the outbreak in Canterbury, which is being linked to a club in the city.
Juliette’s family have now shared a photo of her, with her father telling the BBC that they are "beyond devastated and they have no words to express their loss".
Her family has requested her surname not be publicised.
Juliette’s grandmother Linda Kenny told the Daily Mail: “I just can’t bring myself to say anything otherwise I will cry.
“We are all on antibiotics because we were with Juliette in hospital when she passed away.”
Amelia McIlroy, Juliette’s head teacher, said the school was “devastated” at her passing, describing her as kind, thoughtful and intelligent.
Ms McIlroy said: “It is with great sadness that we are confirming the loss of Juliette, a much-loved and treasured member of our school community.
“Juliette was a student at our school for seven years. She was incredibly kind, thoughtful and intelligent, and she loved our school.
“Juliette embraced everything that school had to offer with great enthusiasm and joy, and her humour and her positivity were captivating.
“She was a genuinely caring and attentive listener, a true friend who listened with warmth, respect and sincere interest to peers and to staff.
“In short, she was a lovely girl, her beautiful smile, her loving nature and her sense of fun will be hugely missed. We are all completely devastated.
“Our love and our thoughts are with her family and friends at this terribly sad time.
“She embraced everything the school had to offer and was genuinely caring – love and thoughts with family and friends.”
13 people remain seriously ill in hospital following the meningitis outbreak, with a 21-year-old student from the University of Kent also dying.
Pupils at three schools are so far affected.
The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) have urged anyone who visited the Canterbury nightclub Club Chemistry on March 5, 6 or 7 to come forward for preventative antibiotic treatment as a precautionary measure.
The agency said that it acted as soon as it was notified of a sudden rise in cases, with a UKHSA spokesperson telling The Standard: “UKHSA was notified of a cluster of cases late on Saturday. We acted immediately and communication to those at risk took place on Saturday evening and Sunday.”
Two Year 13 pupils from Norton Knatchbull School in Ashford and Simon Langton Grammar School for Boys are among those being treated in hospital.
The University of Kent has decided to axe all in-person exams this week following the outbreak, while a GP surgery in Whitstable has told patients to stay away if they have symptoms of the infection.
