Vegan mother, 46, obsessed with hygiene dies from a stroke

A hygiene-conscious vegan mother has died from a stroke caused by an E coli infection.

Laura Farmer, 46, was admitted to the University College Hospital in Camden, north London in April this year.

There, she was diagnosed with Hemolytic–uremic syndrome (HUS) caused by Shiga toxin-producing E Coli, according to a senior senior.

She was thought to be recovering when she suffered an unexpected stroke and died.

Senior coroner for Inner North London, Mary Hassell, criticised the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) for their 'inaction' in trying to find the source of the infection and issued a Prevention of Future Deaths report.

She said: 'Laura Farmer and her family found her diagnosis of an E coli infection difficult to understand. 

'She was a vegan who took great pains with food preparation.

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'As a family they were extremely hygiene conscious. 

'When Ms Farmer became ill, her family members wanted to understand what had happened and to keep themselves as safe as possible.'

The coroner said someone from public health - which she assumed was UKHSA spoke to Ms Farmer the day before she died, but she was in intensive car and not able to give a full picture.

Ms Hassell continued: 'There was apparently no exploration of potential contact with animals or water sports and I was told that only scant details of a recent restaurant visit were obtained.

'The UKHSA did not at any stage ask (redacted name) for information to assist in attempting to determine the source of the E coli infection that ultimately killed his wife.

'If asked, Mr Farmer would have explained that on 6 April 2024, not only did he and his wife visit a local restaurant, they also had drinks at a nearby club, and they had recently eaten and drunk at local military establishments. 

'None of that information appears to have been considered by the UKHSA.'

The coroner said Mr Farmer was given no advice about how to keep himself and their child safe. 

He cleaned their bathroom in the belief his wife would be coming home, but did not use PPE.

He later became unwell, but did not know if he had put himself at risk and was terrified their child would be orphaned.

The clinicians who treated her told the inquest they did not know if the E coli source had ever been identified.

Mr Farmer saw a local news report that there had been a local E coli outbreak in Waverley, Surrey, but his efforts to get basic information from the public health authorities was frustrated.

The coroner said in her report: 'This cannot inspire public confidence and seems a very offhand way to treat a grieving relative.'

The inquest did not hear from the UKHSA, because the coroner said she would have expected it would have shared relevant information with both clinicians and family.

She concluded: 'It may be therefore, that there are explanations for what seem to be surprising actions and inactions. 

'If that is the case, then of course you will be able to explain as much in your response.'

The report has been sent to the UKHSA chief executive and the medical director at the UCLH hospital and she expects a response with actions to be taken within 56 days.