Liam Enese, 16, from the northern Gold Coast. Source: GoldCoastBulletin
TEENAGER Liam Enese complained to his mum of a chill on Monday last week.
By Thursday the fit, 16-year-old Gold Coast sportsman was dead — struck down by a common illness.
Doctors say Liam fell victim to pneumonia that can quickly develop as a complication of the flu epidemic sweeping the city.
Yesterday Sarah Enese told how her son had spent the weekend before he was struck down playing lawn bowls and delivering donated food to those in need in the Coomera area.
Sarah and husband Tony said Liam was a fit and active teenager who loved playing basketball and had no signs of illness.
Liam Enese. Source: GoldCoastBulletin
Gold Coast Health head of infectious diseases, Dr John Gerrard, said the Coast was in the grip of a “very significant influenza epidemic” and there had been a disproportionate number of teenagers infected by pneumonia this year.
“It’s spreading through the schools and it started after the kids returned from winter holidays,” he said.
“We’re seeing quite a number of young people at the moment in hospital with pneumonia.”
Liam’s parents agreed to an autopsy so doctors can find out what went wrong and hopefully help save others from a similar fate.
Sarah Enese and Tony Enese at Helensvale State High School basketball courts where a memorial has been set up by students for their son Liam Enese who passed away. Picture: Richard Gosling Source: News Limited
“On Monday morning he took his jersey off because he felt like he had a chill and he still went to school,” she said.
“My husband took him to hospital and they said he had an infection and sent him home with antibiotics.
“We took him back in on Tuesday and the infection was attacking his organs.
“Every time they stabilised something it attacked something else and by Thursday night they told us he was brain dead. It was hard and fast.”
Liam was put on artificial heart and lung machines but on Friday Mr and Mrs Enese had to make the heartbreaking decision to turn off the life support.
The northern Gold Coast community has come together in support of the family, with sporting clubs holding a minute’s silence and raising money and donations.
New Zealand Warriors centre Konrad Hurrell shows his support to the Enese family. Source: GoldCoastBulletin
New Zealand Warriors rugby league player Konrad Hurrell had RIP LE written on his strapping on the weekend after family members got in touch and made the request, knowing Liam was a big Warriors fan.
There were eight cases of invasive pneumococcal in Queensland in the week of August 3-9 and there have been 134 for the year so far.
