Anna's Japanese Survival Story

Anna's condition deteriorates

After being admitted to Tokyo's National Centre for Global Health and Medicine, Anna’s blood pressure dropped dangerously low, and her temperature indicated early stages of hypothermia. A lumbar puncture confirmed she had contracted deadly meningococcal disease, and she was immediately placed on antibiotics and given a blood transfusion. However, her condition continued to deteriorate rapidly, with her lungs bleeding into her airways and her organs shutting down. Anna would then be intubated and placed on an artificial respirator.

A miraculous recovery

When Anna's parents Ghis and Adrian learned of her condition, they booked the next available flight from Cairns to Tokyo. As they prepared to board, they received a call from Anna’s medical team. When they asked if she would survive, the response was simply: "We don't know."

Anna would spend five days in a coma in the ICU, fully sedated, with doctors unsure what her outcomes would be. However, she thankfully regained consciousness and was able to move out of ICU. She would then remain in hospital for a further week to stabilise her enough for the flight home.

Zoom to the rescue 

Before leaving Australia, Anna had taken out a Zoom Travel Insurance policy, which would turn out to be one of the best decisions she could have made.

Her total claim came to approximately $75,000, covering a range of costs including her hospital expenses, her parents' emergency flights from Cairns to Tokyo, along with the extended accommodation for the weeks the Gallo family spent in Japan during her recovery.

And when it came time to get Anna home, Zoom arranged her repatriation- no small feat given she could only fly lying down in business class.

"Thankfully, my insurance booked my whole family in business on a Qantas flight on the way back," Anna said. "They were so helpful and really looked after us."

Anna finally landed back in Queensland and was taken directly from Brisbane International Airport to Gold Coast University Hospital, where she spent a further six days before being discharged on 27 February, six weeks after she and Liam first set off.

Anna's advice to other travellers

Now recovering at home on the Gold Coast, Anna is sharing her story to raise awareness; both of meningococcal disease and the importance of being properly covered when you travel.

"It is crazy how life can change so quickly from one day to the next and you never truly know what is going to happen," she said.

"We are just so thankful that I made it through. You truly never know when your last day on earth might be, so it's so important to appreciate every moment."

Her advice to anyone planning an overseas trip: don't leave without insurance.

• What is meningococcal disease?

• Meningococcal disease is an infection caused by the the Neisseria Meningitidis bacteria. It may cause blood poisoning (sepsis) or inflammation of the lining of the brain (meningitis). There are 150-350 cases in Australia every year.  There are five main strains - A, B, C, W and Y.

• How is it contracted?

• The bacteria is passed between people from the secretions from the back of the nose and throat. Infection generally requires close and prolonged contact with a person carrying the bacteria, and is not easily spread by sharing drinks, food or cigarettes. Typically, this means living in the same household as an infected person, or intimate (deep) kissing. In some cases, like Lilliana's, the original cause of infection is simply never known. Infants, small children, adolescents, smokers, travellers to countries with high rates of meningococcal and people without working spleens are are higher risk, although it can affect anyone.

• What are the symptoms of meningococcal disease?

• Symptoms may include sudden onset of fever, headache, neck stiffness, joint pain, a rash of red-purple spots or bruises, dislike of bright lights nausea and vomiting. Babies and young children may have less specific symptoms. These may include irritability, difficulty waking, high-pitched crying, and refusal to eat. The typical purple rash doesn't disappear with gentle pressure on the skin. Not everyone with meningococcal disease get a rash or if it does occur, it may do so at a very late stage.

• What should I do if I suspect meningococcal disease?

• If you or your child exhibits the symptoms of meningococcal disease, immediately seek medical attention from a doctor. If you do so and symptoms continue to worsen, go to your emergency department immediately.

• How is meningococcal disease diagnosed?

• Diagnosis can be very difficult in the early stages of the disease - it may present similar to a flu or other common illness. Confirmation of meningococcal typically involves significant testing, including blood, skin and cerebrospinal fluid samples.

• How is it treated?

• When caught very early, antibiotics are one of the first lines of treatment. In more advanced cases, treatment may also include plasma and blood transfusions, skin debridement and grafting.

• Is there a vaccination?

• Yes, across Australia, a vaccine for the A,C,W,Y strains is available for free, for babies from 12 months old, and for teens aged 15-19. If required earlier, younger babies are able to be vaccinated, but this is not covered by the National Immunisation Schedule. The meningococcal B strain is only available for free in South Australia.

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