A four-year-old girl is fighting for her life after contracting a rare brain condition linked to the flu, prompting her parents to raise awareness about the importance of vaccination. Sienna Dunion, from Corby, Northamptonshire, began feeling unusually cold in early November. Her parents, Gary and Angelina Dunion, initially dismissed her complaints but decided to keep her home from school due to a mild fever.
The situation escalated dramatically when Gary found Sienna unresponsive days later, leading to an urgent trip to the hospital. An MRI scan revealed that she had developed Acute Necrotising Encephalitis (ANE), a rare and aggressive brain condition. Medical professionals believe this condition was triggered by the flu, which has recently put considerable pressure on the National Health Service (NHS).
Emergency Surgery and Ongoing Struggles
On November 22, 2023, Sienna underwent emergency surgery after doctors detected dangerously high lactate levels. They found that 60 percent of her intestines were irreparably damaged and needed to be removed to save her life. Gary expressed his shock at the sudden turn of events, stating, “It’s just a complete shock. I’d never heard of that before in my life.”
Sienna has begun plasma exchange treatment, but her recovery remains uncertain. Medical experts estimate that it could take anywhere from three to six months before she can leave the hospital. Gary described the daunting reality of her condition, noting, “They told us this is going to be a very long road, and when Sienna wakes up she will not be the Sienna we know.”
The devoted father is haunted by the fear that he may never hear his daughter’s infectious laugh again. He and his wife are grappling with the guilt of not having vaccinated Sienna against the flu. Gary emphasized the importance of flu vaccinations for children, saying, “For me, it’s raising awareness around ANE and what it is. No one is immune from it even though it’s absolutely very rare.”
A Call to Action for Parents
To assist with the extensive future treatment and rehabilitation costs, Gary has set up a GoFundMe page, aiming to cover the estimated £8,000 per week for a specialist neurorehabilitation centre. He is determined to ensure other parents understand the risks associated with the flu and the significance of vaccinations.
Gary’s message is clear: “There needs to be some serious medical studies around what the factors are that trigger it. Beyond that, what’s the treatment and the early interventions, what’s the recovery from this and what’s the prognosis. It’s so much guesswork.”
His efforts are not just about fundraising; they are about raising crucial awareness of ANE and its potential link to the flu. The Dunion family hopes that by sharing their story, they can help prevent similar tragedies in other families. As Gary poignantly stated, “The guilt from us is like, ‘My God, should we have just vaccinated her?'”
The Dunion family’s experience serves as a sobering reminder of the importance of vaccinations and the potentially devastating consequences of rare medical conditions like ANE.
