The father of a teenager who died after suffering meningitis has paid an emotional tribute to his “funny, friendly and kind” son, telling how the 17-year-old contracted sepsis within hours of first feeling unwell.Lewis Waters, a sixth form student at The Henley College, died after being taken to intensive care earlier this week.In a heartbreaking message shared on social media, his father Sean Waters said the family is struggling to come to terms with the sudden loss.
‘Heartache cannot be expressed in words’
“Within hours of feeling a little sick he developed sepsis and was taken away from us,” Shawn wrote on Facebook. “He fought hard and the ICU team really looked after him but they couldn’t save him.”
‘We are absolutely devastated’
Describing Lewis as a much-loved teenager with a bright personality, his father said he was “funny, friendly, kind” and deeply devoted to his family and friends.“He also loved his sisters, friends and family very much,” she said. “Now that he is gone, life will never be the same for many of us.”
Two other students are undergoing treatment
The tragedy comes as two other young people in Berkshire are also being treated for meningitis. Students attend Reading Blue Coat School and Highdown Secondary School and Sixth Form Centre.The UK Health Protection Agency said it had identified a social link linking all three cases and confirmed that close contacts have been offered antibiotics as a precautionary measure.Officials said one case has been confirmed as meningitis B, while further testing is being done on the remaining cases.
Schools issue messages of support
Henley College said in a statement, “Our thoughts and sincere condolences go out to the student’s family and friends at this extremely difficult time.”Meanwhile, Reading Blue Coats headmaster Pete Thomas described it as a “concerning time for families and the wider community”.“We are deeply saddened by the news of the death of a student at another local school,” he said.Highdown School also confirmed it has shared guidance with parents and students about the symptoms of meningitis.
Symptoms parents should pay attention to
Doctors are urging families to remain vigilant and warning that meningitis can quickly become life-threatening.Common symptoms include:
- high fever
- severe headache
- vomit
- stiff neck
- sensitivity to light
- confusion or drowsiness
- cold hands and feet
- muscle pain
- A rash that does not go away with pressure when using the “glass test”
Calls are growing for a wider vaccination rollout
The incident has reignited concerns about meningitis B in young adults, especially those who were too old to receive the routine MenB vaccine introduced for infants in 2015.Freddie van Mierlo, Liberal Democrat MP for Henley and Thames, has urged the government to consider a wider catch-up vaccination program for teenagers and university-aged students.Health officials stressed that the current cases are not linked to an outbreak of meningitis B in Kent earlier this year, which resulted in two deaths.