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Misdiagnosis led to malaria death Misdiagnosis led to malaria death
(40 minutes later)
The death of a Cardiff University student from malaria could have been prevented, a coroner has said.The death of a Cardiff University student from malaria could have been prevented, a coroner has said.
Mathilda Cooper, 19, contracted the disease in Uganda and died a few days after returning to south Wales.Mathilda Cooper, 19, contracted the disease in Uganda and died a few days after returning to south Wales.
She contacted both NHS Direct and her GP, but was diagnosed with flu. After falling ill, the court heard that she contacted both NHS Direct and her GP, but was diagnosed with flu.
Recording a narrative verdict, coroner Mary Hassell said: "With the right treatment her condition was probably curable, up to and including the last contact with the health professionals." Recording a narrative verdict, coroner Mary Hassell said that with the right treatment her condition was "probably curable".
The inquest heard from Dr Ashley Croft, one of the UK's leading experts on tropical diseases, who called for procedures to be strengthened.The inquest heard from Dr Ashley Croft, one of the UK's leading experts on tropical diseases, who called for procedures to be strengthened.
The system failed, it fell down. Mathilda Cooper's mother The system failed, it fell down Mathilda Cooper's mother
He told the hearing: "It was a diagnosis that shouldn't have been missed but it was, with tragic consequences. He said: "It was a diagnosis that shouldn't have been missed but it was, with tragic consequences.
"Something in NHS protocols needs to be strengthened. The fact information about her trip to Uganda got lost is quite wrong.""Something in NHS protocols needs to be strengthened. The fact information about her trip to Uganda got lost is quite wrong."
The inquest heard how Miss Cooper, originally from Burrington, Devon, had been visiting her father in Uganda for Christmas.The inquest heard how Miss Cooper, originally from Burrington, Devon, had been visiting her father in Uganda for Christmas.
She had not taken anti-malarial drugs because she had previously lived in Africa, was a frequent visitor and thought she was immune to the disease. She had not taken anti-malarial drugs because she had previously lived in Africa, and as a frequent visitor, thought she was immune to the disease.
The student, who was studying politics, philosophy and ancient history, was feeling unwell by the time she arrived back at her halls of residence in Cardiff in January 2006. The politics, philosophy and ancient history student, was feeling unwell by the time she arrived back at her halls of residence in Cardiff in January 2006.
Her friend, Helen Wheeler, said:"She was tired and not her usual self and said she had flu-like symptoms. Friend Helen Wheeler said: "She was tired and not her usual self and said she had flu-like symptoms.
She was told during a face to face consultation she had flu. This was not the case Coroner Mary HassellShe was told during a face to face consultation she had flu. This was not the case Coroner Mary Hassell
"It was unlike her. She said she had felt ill for a couple of days.""It was unlike her. She said she had felt ill for a couple of days."
Miss Cooper's condition worsened over the following days, and she displayed symptoms including general tiredness, nausea and upset stomach. Ms Cooper's condition worsened over the following days, and she displayed symptoms including general tiredness, nausea and upset stomach.
Miss Wheeler contacted NHS Direct on her friend's behalf and advisors asked Miss Cooper a series of questions - including whether or not she had recently been abroad. She contacted NHS Direct on her friend's behalf and advisers asked Ms Cooper a series of questions - including whether or not she had recently been abroad.
She was diagnosed with flu and told to see her GP.She was diagnosed with flu and told to see her GP.
The following day she visited her doctor but was not asked if she had been abroad, and did not volunteer the information, so malaria was not suspected.The following day she visited her doctor but was not asked if she had been abroad, and did not volunteer the information, so malaria was not suspected.
She was diagnosed with a viral infection and told to return if she continued to feel unwell.She was diagnosed with a viral infection and told to return if she continued to feel unwell.
But within four days, Miss Cooper had died, and was discovered in her room by Miss Wheeler. But within four days, the student died, and was discovered in her room by Ms Wheeler.
Malaria can be spread by mosquitos Malaria can be spread by through mosquito bites
After the inquest, Miss Cooper's mother, Ros Wehner, said anyone displaying flu-like symptoms should be automatically asked if they had been abroad.
She said: "The system failed. It fell down."
Recording a narrative verdict, Mary Hassell, coroner for Cardiff and the Vale of Glamorgan, said: "I have no hesitation Matti died from malaria.Recording a narrative verdict, Mary Hassell, coroner for Cardiff and the Vale of Glamorgan, said: "I have no hesitation Matti died from malaria.
"In that sense she died from a natural cause, but in this situation it doesn't adequately reflect the sequence of events."In that sense she died from a natural cause, but in this situation it doesn't adequately reflect the sequence of events.
"On 22 January, she was told during telephone conversations with the NHS Direct and the out of hours doctor service, she had flu. This was not the case."On 22 January, she was told during telephone conversations with the NHS Direct and the out of hours doctor service, she had flu. This was not the case.
"On 23 January she was told during a face to face consultation she had flu. This was not the case."On 23 January she was told during a face to face consultation she had flu. This was not the case.
"Matti died on 26 January from cerebral malaria."Matti died on 26 January from cerebral malaria.
"It was not diagnosed because health professionals did not illicit the information she had been in a high-risk malarial area, or they elicited the information but did not recognise the significance of this.""It was not diagnosed because health professionals did not illicit the information she had been in a high-risk malarial area, or they elicited the information but did not recognise the significance of this."