The father of 8-year-old İrem, who passed away from meningitis: It started with knee pain.

12.04.2025 10:44

Eight-year-old İrem Aslan, who lost her life due to meningitis, was laid to rest in Kocaeli amid tears. İrem's father stated that the illness began with knee pain and continued with complaints of vomiting. The grieving father mentioned that his daughter had spots on her body resembling pimples and expressed that she passed away after spending one day in intensive care.

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Eight-year-old İrem Aslan, who was studying at Sıtkı Özer Primary School located in the Derince district of Kocaeli, fell ill on Wednesday and was taken to the hospital. Tests revealed that the little girl had contracted meningitis. After being treated at Kocaeli University Research and Application Hospital and then at the City Hospital, the young girl passed away despite all interventions.

PARENTS DID NOT SEND THEIR CHILDREN TO SCHOOL

İrem's death from meningitis caused concern among parents. Some parents did not send their children to school as a precaution.

YOUNG İREM WAS FAREWELLED ON HER LAST JOURNEY

The little girl's funeral was taken by her family today, first to her home and then to Sopalı Çiftliği Mosque. İrem's family, her teachers, Kocaeli Provincial Director of National Education Ömer Akmanşen, the district governor, and citizens attended the funeral prayer. It was observed that most of the citizens attending the funeral prayer wore masks. After the funeral prayer held following the afternoon prayer, little İrem was buried in the Martyrs' Cemetery.

"THE DISEASE RECURRED RAPIDLY"

İrem's father, Furkan Aslan, stated that the disease recurred rapidly, saying, "They took her to the intensive care unit. She was treated in the intensive care unit for 1 day. They said her last condition was stable, and they transferred her to the City Hospital for ozone therapy. We stayed there for about 5 hours."

"IT STARTED WITH KNEE PAIN"

Describing the symptoms of the disease, Aslan said, "She had minor symptoms while at home. It started with knee pain. She said she had knee pain for 2 days. On the 3rd day, she experienced vomiting complaints. There was vomiting, leg pain, and spots like pimples on one or two places on her body. We went to the hospital because of these pains. Initially, we went to Derince Training and Research Hospital. Since it could be an infectious disease, they referred us to Kocaeli University Training and Research Hospital. We went there on Wednesday at 3:00 PM. From that time until midnight, they constantly performed tests and analyses. Finally, they took fluid from her spine and tested it. They diagnosed meningitis there and started treatment," he said.

"SPOTS STARTED TO COVER HER BODY"

Aslan expressed that the spots on İrem's body increased during the hospital process, saying, "During this process, the spots increased. They started to cover her body, and she became weak. After the fluid was taken from her waist at midnight, she was not herself due to the effects of anesthesia. As the effects increased and the test results came out, they took her to intensive care. We stayed in intensive care for 1 day. Then we received the bad news." Furkan Aslan also stated that they had all of İrem's necessary vaccinations done at the health center.

STUDENTS RECEIVED PROTECTIVE TREATMENT

The Kocaeli Governorship made a written statement regarding the issue, stating, "İrem Aslan, a 2/D class student at our Derince Bekir Sıtkı Özer Primary School, unfortunately passed away today despite all interventions while being treated for meningitis. After İrem was diagnosed with meningitis, protective treatment was applied to students and teachers who may have had close contact. Currently, no symptoms of meningitis have been observed in the school and its vicinity. Necessary information has been provided at the school by health department teams, and our national education department teams are also carrying out guidance duties at the school, and the issue is being closely monitored by our relevant directorates and our governorship. We wish God's mercy upon the deceased student and condolences to her grieving family, teachers, and friends," it was stated.