The Spanish gymnast María Herranz died suddenly in the early hours of this Wednesday to Thursday at the age of 17 due to meningitis at the University Hospital of Guadalajara. In a statement, the City Council of Cabanillas del Campo, the municipality where the athlete resided, has declared two days of mourning in the town.
The Municipal Council has declared that she died “due to a terrible meningitis that took her away in just 24 hours.” “She leaves inconsolable sadness in the town. A member of a long family of Cabanillera descent, María was a charming, sweet, friendly girl loved by everyone. In addition to being an example as an athlete,” highlights the City Council.
Last November, the young gymnast participated in the Trampoline Gymnastics World Cup representing the Spanish National Team, placing 26th alongside Carmen Hernández. Likewise, last year she participated in the Spanish Championship, placing fourth in double minitramp. In addition, with the team on trampoline, she came in fifth position in synchronism, partnering with Hernández.
Due to the unexpected death of the athlete, the town has decreed two days of official mourning, Thursday, April 18 and Friday, April 19, suspending the sociocultural activities planned for these two days. For its part, the Royal Spanish Gymnastics Federation (RFEG) has “deeply” regretted the death of Herranz and has offered its condolences to her family.
Likewise, the Minister of Education, Vocational Training and Sports Pilar Alegría has expressed herself in this regard through her social networks. “A very strong hug to the family, friends and colleagues of María Herranz,” says the head of Sports.
These words have also been shared by the Higher Sports Council (CSD), which has sent “with deep pain” its “most sincere condolences to the family and friends” of the athlete. “We will always remember you,” the organization says at the end of the text.
Due to the unexpected death of Herranz due to meningococcus sepsis, the Epidemiology section of Guadalajara has activated the action protocols in these cases. In a press release, the Public Health Board has recommended that the young woman’s close circle go to the administration of chemoprophylaxis as soon as possible, which is the use of medications to prevent infection and its consequences.
Close contacts of the case have an increased risk of developing the disease compared to the general population, especially in the first 7 to 10 days after the appearance of the case. Chemoprophylaxis is the first measure taken and the decision to offer vaccination should be made when the results of the type of meningococcus are available.
Meningitis and sepsis are not very common but they are serious diseases. More than 95 percent of individuals who suffer from meningococcal disease are previously healthy or, at least, no special susceptibility to illness is detected in them.
That is why experts assure that the most effective measure to fight this disease is systematic vaccination from an early age.
However, the General Directorate of Public Health of the Government of Castilla-La Mancha has made a call for calm due to the influx of people to Primary Care Emergency Centers demanding chemoprophylaxis. Especially, it has placed emphasis on the center of Azuqueca de Henares and the SUAP of Los Manantiales.
