In a tragic incident, a woman from Auckland, New Zealand, lost her life Dec. 10 to an infection related to meningitis hours after she got married.

Jamieka McCarthy-Harford, 26, died from a bacterial infection linked to meningitis hours after she tied the knot with her husband Alistair in a fairytale wedding ceremony. Devastated by the death of his bride, Alistair John said it came as a “huge shock” for him.

“This has been incredibly difficult to process. She was taken from us with notice of a horrible, deadly disease,” Alistair said. “Her passing was a huge shock to everybody, to lose her so quickly, and this has been incredibly difficult to process,” he told the New Zealand Herald.

McCarthy-Harford’s family, in a statement, said: “Jamieka was so happy to be married and the wedding was a beautiful, happy occasion surrounded by love. She the most kind-hearted person in the world who loved life and she always put others before herself. She was a beloved wife, daughter, granddaughter, sister, niece, cousin, and friend. She will be missed forever.”

The Auckland Regional Public Health Service (ARPHS) confirmed McCarthy-Harford died due to a bacterial infection likely to be associated with meningococcal disease.

According to Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), “Meningococcal disease can refer to any illness caused by the type of bacteria called Neisseria meningitidis, also known as meningococcus.”

“These illnesses are often severe and can be deadly. They include infections of the lining of the brain and spinal cord (meningitis) and bloodstream infections (bacteremia or septicemia),” the website stated.

The symptoms of meningococcal disease can first appear as a flu-like illness and rapidly worsen as time passes. The two most common types of meningococcal infections are — meningitis and septicemia. These infections are serious and can be deadly in a matter of hours.

The most common symptoms of the meningococcal disease to watch out for include:

  1. Fever
  2. Headache
  3. Stiff Neck
  4. Nausea
  5. Vomiting
  6. Photophobia— sensitivity to light
  7. Confused state of mind
  8. Rapid Breathing
  9. Fatigue
  10. Cold Chills

Although vaccines can help in curing meningococcal disease, maintaining healthy food habits and taking plenty of rest also helps.

In McCarthy-Harford’s case, ARPHS launched an investigation into the young bride’s death and are also closely working with her family so as to prevent bacteria transmission.

McCarthy-Harford’s mother, Linda McCarthy paid tribute to her deceased daughter in a Facebook post.

“Our beautiful 1st born baby girl Jamie McCathy-Ngapera was abruptly taken from her father Will Catchakingi and I in mere hours after marrying the man she loves because of Meningococcal Disease,” she wrote.

McCarthy-Harford's husband, in a Facebook post, said that his wife's funeral will be held Wednesday, 12 noon at Fairway Conference Centre, Wairau Valley. The funeral service will be followed by her burial at the North Shore Memorial Park, the post read.

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