NSW:Public health officer sceptical of disease claim, court told

AAP General News (Australia)
12-04-2006
NSW:Public health officer sceptical of disease claim, court told

SYDNEY, Dec 4 AAP - A public health official was dismissive of concerns that a Sydney
teenager who later died of meningococcal disease was at risk of contracting the disease,
an inquest has been told.

Jehan Nassif, 18, died from meningococcal at Bankstown Hospital in August this year,
four days after coming into contact with the disease and hours after calling an ambulance
to her home.

Westmead Coroner's Court today heard Jehan's boyfriend George Khouzame had told public
health officer Carla Ghezzi of his concerns that he may have passed meningococcal onto
his cousin Elias while they were holidaying in Greece.

Elias was hospitalised with the disease upon his return to Australia on August 15 and
George and other travelling companions were given preventative antibiotics.

The police officer investigating the incident, Detective Sergeant Stephen Thomas, told
the court that George Khouzame had raised concerns about Jehan and asked Ms Ghezzi whether
his girlfriend should also take precautionary medications.

"No," Ms Ghezzi had replied, telling Jehan: "If you had meningococcal you wouldn't
be here right now, you probably just had the flu."

Elias Khouzame said he "got the impression that she was narrowing her questions to
what she was looking for", Det Sgt Thomas said.

Counsel assisting the inquest Trish McDonald said Ms Ghezzi denied George had spoken about Jehan.

Whether Jehan was present, wearing a mask, or exposed to Elias's uncovered vomit during
a brief visit on August 16 was also in dispute, Ms McDonald said.

Jehan's parents also claim ambulance officers discouraged their daughter from going
to hospital early on the morning of her death, saying there would be a wait.

The paramedics allege she declined to go to hospital but failed to get her signature
on a standard form to that effect.

Blood tests revealed both Jehan and Elias Khouzame were suffering from the same Cuban
strain of meningococcal, a strain rare in NSW and one against which Jehan had not been
vaccinated.

The inquest continues before Deputy State Coroner Dorelle Pinch.

AAP ajc/tb/was/maur

KEYWORD: NASSIF (PIX AVAILABLE)

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