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Susan Green had planned to bring her grandson in February for a special birthday at Gold Coast.
The tickets were booked and Bernard Alefaio, 8, was eager to spend his time paddling at Wet n Wild.
In September, Bernard woke up with a sore belly and by the end of the day, he would be dead.
Chris McKeen / Stuff
The grandson of eight-year-old Susan Green (who she was
primary caregiver for), died of meningococcal disease W in September.
Bernard was one of six New Zealanders who died as a result of a new meningococcal strain known as MenW this year.
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The speed with which Bernard's health deteriorated left Green, who was in charge, and his two younger brothers and sisters in shock.
"Everything happened so fast, I woke him up to go to school and he told me that he had a stomach ache around noon, I had to go At work I consulted him to find out if he wanted to go to the doctor, but he said it was not too serious. "
Around 5 pm, Green received a call telling him that Bernard was going to be rushed to the Starship Children's Hospital and that he might not be able to get there.
"My grown daughter had gone to see him," Green said, and she found him lying on his bed, just clenching his fists.
"They did everything they could in the hospital, he did not even show the signs of a rash until it was already there, everything happened so fast. "
The family was called to say goodbye shortly before midnight.
"Everything was so fast, it did not have a lot of symptoms – even at the moment, we still do not know exactly how he got it, but the nurse told us that he was suspended in the air. "
Chris McKeen / Stuff
Green says it's still hard to think of Bernard without crying.
After Bernard's death, a district health nurse was sent to Green in Massey and everyone who was close to Bernard in his last days was vaccinated against the strain.
In the community of Massey, West Auckland, where lived Green and Bernard, Bernard was remembered as a humble boy with many friends.
"Everyone loved Bernard, he was an adorable boy, he loved the water and going to the beach, he was really looking forward to going to Australia for his ninth birthday next year." . "
Chris McKeen / Stuff
A pamphlet from Bernard's funeral remains in the family home.
Green said parents and caregivers should be aware of the signs and symptoms of the disease and how quickly it could work.
"We had all heard of meningococcal disease before, but we did not know it, we did not know how bad the disease was.
"Just be aware of that, I did not know the symptoms or the speed with which it could happen, it made me feel a lot and I'm very sorry for not being here." It was very hard for all of us. family."
Chris McKeen / Stuff
A wall in Massey's Green House is dedicated to Bernard with a tapa cloth, photographs and school certificates.
Clinical microbiologist David Hammer said the new strain was very difficult to diagnose because its symptoms were more variable than previous strains of the disease.
"They can present themselves as any form of infection and appear randomly for no apparent reason.
"Everyone should be hygienic – do not share drinks and do not cover your mouth when sneezing or coughing."
Annette Lambly / Stuff
Drs. David Hammer, Nick Chamberlain and Ailsa Tuck urge Northland's parents to vaccinate their children against the deadly strain of meningococcal W.
Beginning next week, the government will launch an emergency vaccine program to combat the burden in Northland after the deaths of three of six people in the region this year.
This year, 29 people contracted this strain across the country, more than twice as much as in 2017.
Vaccination will be available from December 5th in some high schools and community centers in Northland.
provided
Meningococcal bacteria can be transmitted from person to person through contact with saliva.
Health Department Executive Director Ashley Bloomfield said the estimated cost of launching the vaccination campaign was about $ 700,000.
The bacterium has been transmitted through close contact and factors such as poverty, proximity and overpopulation have been important transmission factors in Northland, Bloomfield said.
"We also know that disease rates are higher among Maori, which is probably due to the high rate of people living in crowded conditions."
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Health Department Executive Director Ashley Bloomfield said the disease was transmitted through close contact.
The vaccination program will target two age groups: children from nine months to five years and adolescents from 13 to 20 years old. To be eligible, the child will need to be a resident of the Northland District Board of the District Health District, said Nick Chamberlain.
"We hope that more vaccines will be available to vaccinate the entire population under the age of 20, as we did in 2011 with the meningococcal C vaccination program."
Green said it was a relief to hear about vaccination plans, she thought it was important and hoped that this plan would be implemented nationwide.
"This vaccine will save lives – I just wish it was announced earlier because it would still be here today."
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