Pet-loving schoolboy, 16, died from rare disease spread by animals after volunteering at rescue centre with rat problem
Craig Barratt was a volunteer at Northamptonshire Animals Needing Nurturing and Adoption and was studying for a diploma in animal welfare when he fell ill
AN ANIMAL-loving schoolboy died from a rare disease spread by animals after volunteering at a rescue centre which had a rat problem.
Craig Barratt, 16, was studying for a diploma in animal welfare and helping out at Northamptonshire Animals Needing Nurturing and Adoption (NANNA) in his spare time when he contracted leptospirosis, also known as Weil's disease.
The disease is a bacterial infection spread by animals and can cause the organs to shut down and internal bleeding.
An inquest heard today that the teen was found not breathing at his home in Higham Ferrers, Northants at 8:30pm on November 12, 2015, days after visiting his GP.
He went to the doctor after several days of "crawling on all fours" in pain, but was told it was a viral infection and to come back if it hadn't cleared up in a few days.
He continued to feel unwell and started to cough up blood before he was found not breathing in his bedroom.
His desperate foster dad carried out CPR for 15 minutes in a bid to save him but he tragically died.
Foster father Mr Wermerling told the corner: "Craig was a volunteer at NANNA, which was a big part of his life and sometimes we had to stop him going so he could do other things.
"Dawn and I were devastated after Craig's death."
His foster mum Dawn Wermerling said the teenager was very committed to NANNA which is based in Irthlingborough, Northants.
In a statement she said: "He was made to feel very welcome and loved the animals."
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The inquest heard a council officer had "serious concerns" about a "rat problem" at the animal sanctuary.
In a statement Adam Gubrecht, a waste management officer from East Northants Council, said he had visited NANNA on several occasions.
He added: "I advised Adam French that the rat problem has escalated since my last visit."
Mr French, a senior environmental health officer at East Northants Council, told the hearing he visited NANNA days after Craig's death on November 19, 2015.
He said: "There were signs of clear rat activity."
Mr French also said he had "serious concerns" about poor hygiene facilities at the site, including no hot running water.
The inquest heard a court order was granted on NANNA, imposing conditions including robust pest control, and public access to the site was restricted.
Mr French said efforts were made to address the concerns and he decided the court order didn't need to be extended so it was lifted in December 2015.
He told the inquest further improvements have been made and said "the rat problem was pretty much under control" by April last year.
Petrina Alderman, who started NANNA with her husband and daughter Carla in 2004, told the inquest they do checks with any students or volunteers who go there.
She said everyone is given a card carrying information about what to do if they start feeling unwell after being on-site, including details about leptospirosis.
What is Leptospirosis?
Leptospirosis is a type of bacterial infection spread by animals caused by a strain of bacteria called leptospira.
According to the NHS website, in 90 per cent of cases it only "causes mild flu-like symptoms, such as a headache, chills and muscle pain";.
But the infection can be more severe causing life-threatening problems, including organ failure and internal bleeding.
The NHS advice adds: "In its most severe form, leptospirosis is also known as Weil's disease.
"The common mild symptoms mean most leptospirosis infections are hard to diagnose.
"Diagnosis is easier if the infection causes more serious problems."
Mrs Alderman told the coroner Craig had been given "hundreds of cards" reminding him of what to do if he felt unwell after being there.
She added: "All of us at NANNA were devastated at the news of his death and we have planted a tree in his memory."
Dr Onimole, who saw Craig when he complained of pain in his calves on November 12, told the inquest she though he had "got it from another person who had a viral infection".
She added: "I thought it was muscular down to what he had been doing on the farm.
"I advised him to come back if it didn't change."
Dr Onimole said Craig had "general flu-like symptoms" and had not given her the card given out by NANNA which they recommend is given to a doctor if they feel unwell.
When asked about leptospirosis, she said: "I didn't suspect it at all."
The inquest also heard Craig could have contracted the disease that killed him from somewhere else.
Dr Colin Fink, medical director of Micropathology Ltd and an honorary senior lecturer at the University of Warwick, said leptospira is carried by most small animals, some larger animals and is all over the world.
When asked if Craig could have contracted it anywhere, Dr Fink replied: "Yes".
He added: "Gloves and hand-washing do make a difference but there's no absolute safety."
Recording a narrative verdict, Senior Coroner for Northamptonshire Anne Pember said: "Craig James Barratt was a 16-year-old young man who worked with animals at NANNA and at Moulton College.
"Sadly he developed leptospirosis which led to his untimely death on the 15th of November 2015."
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