More than two years after a meningitis scare in the South Okanagan that led to mass vaccinations, a coroner’s report looking into a death at the time of the outbreak has been released.
Two years ago, Lee Pratt stepped forward to express anger and sadness following the death of his 19-year-old son, Aidan Hansen, who the coroners service said was also known by the name Aidan Pratt.
At the time, Lee Pratt said he believed his son was killed by meningitis.
The Interior Health Authority didn’t declare an outbreak of the disease in the South Okanagan until two months after the teen’s death on Oct. 12, 2017.
At the time, IHA officials said it wasn’t clear if Hansen died of the disease. But on Friday, the B.C. Coroners Service confirmed that belief after issuing a report into Aidan Hansen’s death.
The coroner confirmed Aidan Hansen died at his home due to natural causes, which have been determined to be excessive bleeding from an intestinal ulcer.
The report makes no mention of meningitis as a factor in any portion of Hansen’s death, despite the family being told he did test positive for the disease.
Lee Pratt told Global News he was somewhat blindsided by the release of the report, saying he was told he would have it for 10 days before it was released to the media.
However, Hansen’s mother said the family was well informed the report would be released to the media and received a copy of the report in mid-December.