A five-year-old girl died after she suffered a rare reaction to an infection, an inquest was told.

Five-year-old Zaina Haroon, died suddenly and unexpectedly at her family's home in Chellow Lane, Allerton, Bradford, on February 2.

An inquest at Bradford Coroners' Court yesterday heard how Zaina, a pupil at Allerton Primary School, had been healthy up to the age of three when she began to have vomiting episodes every six months which were never medically investigated.

On the morning of Saturday, February 4, Zaina ate cereal and later had a sandwich before she started vomiting.

On Sunday night she went to bed with her mother but was restless and neither got much sleep. In the morning she wanted to go to the bathroom but was unable to stand properly so her mother picked her up but she was floppy and unresponsive and remained that way.

She was taken to hospital but there was nothing doctors could do for her.

Consultant pathologist Dr Philip Batman, who carried out a post-mortem examination told the inquest how he found a very harmful bacteria in her blood beta haemolytic streptococcus group A infection.

He said: "The bacteria is common in the environment but some individuals acquire an infection from it. It causes two to three cases a year of a rapid septicaemic death in young people. Most people are able to resist its affects and fight it off but some people succumb to it.

"The infection is overwhelming and can happen overnight."

Dr Batman said the cause of Zaina's death was septicaemia due to beta haemolytic streptococcus group A infection and he added he thought her previous episodes of vomiting were a coincidence and unlikely to be connected.

Deputy Coroner Mark Hinchliffe recorded a verdict of death from natural causes saying it was a "tragic" case.

"The infection that led to death is in the environment and can be picked up by anyone," he said. "It is unusual for death to result but when it does it can happen quickly and overwhelmingly. The only comfort I can offer her parents is that in my view there is nothing either could have done in this particular case.

"Death was overwhelming and fast and I am satisfied the parents and medical authorities did everything they could do.

"This was a tragic death from natural causes."

e-mail: claire.lomax @bradford.newsquest.co.uk