Bluewater man’s battle with melioidosis left him unable to remember weeks of treatment

An ex-army Bluewater man is exhausted after battling a flood disease that left him unable to recall weeks of treatment.

Mat Whitbread – with his wife Kim – has recently come home after being cleared from hospital for Melioidosis. Picture: Evan Morgan

A Bluewater man can’t remember five weeks of his life and is lucky to be alive after battling the killer infection melioidosis.

Mathew Whitbread was discharged from the Townsville University Hospital last Friday after contracting the infectious disease during heavy rainfall in January.

The ex-army, stay-at-home dad was fit and athletic but the infection has left him exhausted and requires him to always be on an IV drip and use a walking stick.

“I can’t really tell you anything up until about two and a half weeks ago,” Mr Whitbread said.

Mat Whitbread has called for greater public awareness of melioidosis. Picture: Evan Morgan

“I remember my wife being there. Other than that, that’s pretty much all I remember.

“This is the worst I’ve ever been in my life.”

Melioidosis case numbers have increased drastically from North Queensland’s recent floods, with six deaths recorded in Townsville, and more in Far North Queensland.

The infection occurs when bacteria arises from soil and enters the body when muddy droplets are inhaled or when there is a break in the skin like a cut.

Mr Whitbread’s wife Kim said he was experiencing strange symptoms such as sore joints, extreme thirst, and not wanting to eat any foods for a weekbefore he went to the doctor in the first week of February.

“They said, ‘yep buy some hydrolyte’, and that was it. Literally, that was it,” Mrs Whitbread said.

“But then as I’m driving home – I just happened to be behind him as he pulled out – he’s all over the road. [Later on, he said] ‘I didn’t even know’.”

Mat Whitbread being treated for melioidosis in Townsville. Photo: Supplied.

Days later he was admitted into hospital, put on an IV drip to regulate his breathing and blood pressure, and eventually put into an induced coma.

Despite now being discharged from hospital, Mr Whitbread still has a long road ahead of him, including eight months of antibiotics before going for more scans.

The dad is adamant that public awareness of melioidosis needed to be raised exponentially for North Queensland residents.

“I’ve got a friend around the corner who is 65-years-old, lived here all his life, and has never heard of it,” he said.

“Yet we advertise crocodiles and stinger season and all that sort of stuff.

“We don’t advertise this.

“I reckon its important that the public know. You walk around this neighbourhood and probably half the neighbourhood still don’t know about it.”

Townsville Public Health Unit director Dr Steven Donohue talks to Matthew Whitbread. Photo: Kyle Rode.

Director of Townsville Public Health Unit Dr Steven Donohue said North Queenslanders needed to take precautions to avoid contracting melioidosis.

“If there’s any kind of cut or scratch [while in the mud], it’s really important to wash it thoroughly, put on an antiseptic, waterproof bandage, and wash it closely, and see your doctor if you need to,” Dr Donohue said.

“If there’s any kind of splashing, washing off mud, pressure hosing, then ideally, you’re wearing a mask as well.

“You can still have fun and take basic precautions but we just need to be aware that mud can be contaminated, and there are some nasties out there, including the bacteria that cause melioidosis in tropical areas.”

North Queenslanders can learn more about melioidosis and other diseases and infections by calling 13 HEALTH (13 43 25 84).

Originally published as Bluewater man’s battle with melioidosis left him unable to remember weeks of treatment