‘Absolutely heartbroken’: Family speak out after ‘healthy’ Adelaide man dies of meningococcal

WARNING: Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander readers are suggested this story incorporates photos of an individual who’s deceased.

The 36-year-old was within the prime of his life, which was minimize devastatingly brief by the hands of the lethal micro organism.

His older sister, Tania Wingfield, advised 9News the loss had left the household devastated.

“Just absolutely heartbroken,” she mentioned.

“It’s a disease that is absolutely devastating to families.”

He was taken to Royal Adelaide Hospital from his Ferryden Park dwelling on Tuesday morning.

Tania mentioned his preliminary signs seemed to be flu-like with the household hopeful the 36-year-old would quickly bounce again.

“He looked after himself, he was into fitness, he ate well, he didn’t smoke, he didn’t do drugs,” she mentioned.

When Luke quickly took a flip for the more serious, his household rushed from Port Augusta to be by his aspect, however by Wednesday night time he was useless.

“My brother was such a beautiful person, he was really kind-hearted and he’d do anything for anybody,” Tania advised 9News

There have been 16 instances of the illness to date this yr, surpassing the overall of 14 recorded all of final yr.

“Meningococcol has a huge impact every year, where there’s a number of cases which leads to hospitalisations which sadly leads to deaths,” SA Health Minister Chris Picton mentioned.

The vaccine for the B pressure has been free in SA for some teams of individuals since 2018 however is out there to others who need it.

“Whether you think it’s not serious or not, please, please get help, because I wouldn’t want this, wish this upon anybody,” Tania mentioned.

Oren Klemich misplaced his 18-year-old son Jack to the illness 14 years in the past.

He says the vaccination is a crucial safety, as typically signs develop so quick there’s little time to behave.

“I guarantee if you’re unlucky enough for one of your children to get meningococcal, you’ll only wish they were vaccinated, it’s a horrible disease,” Klemich advised 9News.