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Misdiagnosis led to malaria death | Misdiagnosis led to malaria death |
(30 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. |
After falling ill, the court heard that 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 that with the right treatment her condition was "probably curable". | 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 said: "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, and as a frequent visitor, 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 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. | 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. |
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 Hassell | She 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." |
Ms 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. |
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 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, the student died, and was discovered in her room by Ms Wheeler. | But within four days, the student died, and was discovered in her room by Ms Wheeler. |
Malaria can be spread by through mosquito bites | Malaria can be spread by through mosquito bites |
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. | |
"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 elicit the information she had been in a high-risk malarial area, or they elicited the information but did not recognise the significance of this." |