British teacher, 27, dies after being bitten by an insect in Vietnam

A teacher who has been described as ‘kind, thoughtful, and gentle’ by his father has died unexpectedly after being bitten by an unknown insect while travelling in Vietnam. 

Josh Brooker, 27, contracted the staphylococcus bacteria that soon entered his blood stream and caused abscesses close to his spine and in his lungs after he was bitten on his head during a trip in the Southeast Asian country. 

As doctors desperately tried to keep Josh alive, the history teacher, who worked at Hope Academy in Newton-le-Willows, was rushed into intensive care before passing away on October 1. 

The teacher, had appeared ‘under the weather’ after returning from the Southeast Asian country and began to show symptoms similar to a fever 

Josh’s father James Brooker, 57, from Somerset, said his son had appeared ‘under the weather’ when he landed back down at Manchester airport following his solo travels during the school summer holidays.

He told the Liverpool Echo: ‘The infection gradually wore his body down and it then attacked his lungs and he became unable to breathe on his own.

‘We were there every day by his side until the end. It was horrific. No parent should have to see their child die.’

The teacher had returned to work following his Vietnam trip for the very first day of term but soon began to display symptoms of a fever and went to A&E.

However he was soon rushed to Liverpool Royal Hospital and placed in intensive care on September 3 after medical staff noticed the bite on his head had become infected.

Josh was rushed to Liverpool Royal Hospital and placed in intensive care after doctors noticed the bite on his head had become infected

The infection soon began to enter the teacher’s lungs and his condition continued to deteriorate

As the infection began to attack his lungs and wear his body down, Josh, who read History at the University of Liverpool in 2014 before going on to complete his teaching qualifications at Liverpool Hope University, was transferred to Wythenshawe Hospital in Manchester. 

However the teacher’s condition continued to deteriorate and after a month of treatment in hospital he passed away on October 1.   

Speaking about his son, Mr Brooker added: ‘Josh was kind, thoughtful, and gentle. He was fun and he had a great sense of humour. His friends say he would always be up for a party but he was the sensible one.’

Following the teacher’s passing, students and staff at Hope Academy school have created a prayer wall decorated with messages dedicated to the teacher and have also sent Josh’s family a memory box filled with messages of support.     

Josh’s family have also set up a Just Giving page in an effort to raise money for the Hope Care Fund, which provides support for the physical and emotional wellbeing of disadvantaged children. 

Following Josh’s passing, his family have set up a Just Giving page to raise money for the Hope Care Fund