Montreal’s department of public health is looking into the case of a young woman who died on Saturday following to a meningococcal infection.
She has been confirmed as an 18-year-old Marianopolis College student.
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Others from the CEGEP told Global News she was ill at her 18th birthday party last week and had to leave the event early.
“It was her birthday and she was drinking, then she started vomiting and everyone thought that she was vomiting because she drank too much, but it was actually because she had the sickness,” said student Ambro Kanawati.
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Those identified to have been in close contact with the woman have been given antibiotics.
“This is a very rare occurrence,” said Dr. Lavanya Narasiah, from Montreal Public Health.
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Meningococcus bacteria affects a person’s airways, leading to serious diseases, such as meningitis and sepsis.
Symptoms are flu-like, including fever, chills, muscle aches, headache, vomiting and rashes.
Anyone who has not been vaccinated against the disease can be referred to Santé Publique for vaccination.
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Most occurrences of the meningococcal infection happen in late winter and early spring.
WATCH (Jan. 26, 2015): Teen dies from meningococcal meningitis
People who have concerns about their health or that of a loved one are encouraged to contact Info-Santé at 811.
Montreal Public Health is also launching an epidemiological survey.
The last death attributed to the disease in Montreal was in 2017.
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