Central High girl didn’t die from dengue – doc

Blood tests have ruled out dengue as the cause of death of 14-year-old Central High School grade nine student Areel Foster.

The student, who died on January 16, was believed to succumbed to the mosquito-borne disease.

Medical officer of health for Clarendon, Dr Kimberly Scarlett Campbell, told The Gleaner that the blood tests showed negative for the dengue virus.

“I would like the population of Clarendon to trust my judgement and actions. I am not here to deceive anyone or falsify information,” she said. “I am here to speak the truth and clarify any misconceptions.

“After being admitted for approximately one week and a series of blood (tests) and other investigations, it was determined that the child died from another cause, apart from dengue fever,” Scarlett Campbell revealed. She did not disclose the cause of death.

Transferred to KPH

Areel’s father, Michael Foster, in an interview, said his daughter had been admitted at May Pen Hospital for less than 24 hours before being transferred to Kingston Public Hospital.

Foster said he came from work one evening and saw her in bed eating dinner. Sometime after, she reported feeling “funny in her stomach”.

Foster said a doctor allegedly told him that his daughter had lost a lot of blood and that dengue was suspected.

The father said after taking Areel to Kingston Public Hospital, he was told to take blood samples to Andrews Memorial Hospital. When he brought back the results to the doctor, Foster said he was told that his daughter had a virus.