NEED TO KNOW
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Alexander “Zander” Philogene passed away at 21 after allegedly contracting meningococcal disease during his travels in Europe.
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Philogene reportedly informed his friends via text about experiencing “dizziness, headaches, and shortness of breath,” which later developed into a rash, according to reports.
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His uncle, Chris Jarmer, described him as “really funny, very smart, and witty.”
A college student tragically died just hours after showing symptoms of Meningococcal B, often mistaken for the flu.
Alexander “Zander” Philogene, aged 21, allegedly contracted this serious disease upon returning to Vienna, Austria, from Porto, Portugal, as reported by an Australian news source.
Philogene was a senior at an Australian university, where he was pursuing a double major in finance and chemical engineering while studying abroad in Austria.
On April 11, he texted friends while boarding a flight back to Austria, mentioning he was feeling “dizzy, with headaches and shortness of breath,” which was soon followed by a rash. His friends urged him to get medical attention before he suffered a cardiac arrest at the airport.
He was quickly airlifted to a local hospital, but unfortunately, he was pronounced dead at 2:45 p.m. local time.
Philogene had been vaccinated against the disease, but experts suggest he may have contracted a more aggressive strain recently identified in the U.K.
A student at the University of Kent similarly lost their life to the illness, according to school representatives.
Philogene was the nephew of Chris Jarmer, a professional chef known for his work with the Adelaide Crows, an Australian football team, as well as with the Australian national swim team.
Jarmer expressed his deep sorrow, saying, “I honestly can’t imagine… you get emotional just thinking about it. He was really funny, very smart, and witty. We’re all just devastated. We’ll miss him forever.”
A family friend has initiated a GoFundMe campaign to support Philogene’s family with funeral expenses.
The GoFundMe description honors Zander as “a truly kind and beautiful soul” whose passing has left an “indescribable void” for those who loved him.
Meningococcal disease, as outlined by the Cleveland Clinic, is a serious bacterial infection that spreads through infected saliva or mucus.
The symptoms often resemble those of a cold or flu, and while treatment with antibiotics is available, vaccinations can help prevent the disease.
The Cleveland Clinic also highlights the seriousness of meningococcal disease, noting that 10 to 15 out of every 100 individuals who contract it may die, even with treatment. Complications can range from brain damage to hearing loss.
