Ocean bacteria infection victims plead for Sunshine Coast Health investigation as cases double

Data has revealed bacterial infections have doubled on the Sunshine Coast this year – as victims who suffered horrifically plead with the state government to take action and launch an investigation. Warning: graphic content

Ocean bacteria infection victims plead for Sunshine Coast Health investigation as cases double

Data has revealed bacterial infections have doubled on the Sunshine Coast this year – as victims who suffered horrifically plead with the state government to take action and launch an investigation.

According to data publicly available through the Queensland Health and Sunshine Coast Public Health department website, group A streptococcus bacterial infections have doubled on the Sunshine Coast.

The data is comparing all cases across 12 months in 2023, to all cases across nearly three months in 2024.

In 2023 there were only three cases on the Sunshine Coast. In less than three months this year there have already been six publicly recorded cases.

Caloundra’s Celeste Stirrup nearly loses leg to Cellulitis bacteria after swimming at Bulcock Beach

This comes after Sunshine Coast University Hospital doctors told a Caloundra grandmother she’d need her leg amputated after a bacterial infection from the beach caused it to “look like a piece of beef hanging at the butchers”.

She was hospitalised on January 25, with a large wound on her leg. Since being released she’s had multiple surgeries and is still recovering.

“One nurse told me it’s the fourth case they’d seen of this on the Sunshine Coast in the past fortnight. She said it was seasonal,” Mrs Stirrup said.

“Something needs to be done about this and people need to be informed about what’s going on. We should be taking this more seriously.”

Caloundra’s Celeste Stirrup nearly loses leg to Cellulitis bacteria after swimming at Bulcock Beach

Earlier, a fit and healthy 48-year-old Brisbane father nearly died and will never have feeling in his arm again after the same family of bacteria invaded him at a popular Sunshine Coast caravan park.

A deleterious bacteria believed to have been contracted from the ocean nearly forced doctors to amputate Andrew Emmerig’s arm late December/early January.

Streptococcus A bacteria had entered his blood stream, possibly through a spider bite. Within 18 hours it was life-threatening.

More than two months and eight surgeries on and Mr Emmerig is still unable to feel or move his arm, and will need years of rehabilitation.

Andrew Emmerig, of Brisbane, nearly loses arm to ocean bacteria while holidaying on Sunshine Coast. Picture – contributed.

“The infectious diseases doctor said there’s a lot of cases here and a lot in the community. Every handover I could hear the nurses talking about it and the other cases,” he said.

“We need to find out why there’s extra strep bacteria in the Sunshine Coast waterways.

“I’d like to see the Queensland Health department investigate it, take it seriously and find out what is going on and where people are getting it.

“They said normally it’s very rare and told me I’m very unlucky. Doctors said elderly people and people with diabetes are more likely to get it and lose limbs.

“They also said a 29-year-old died from it recently on the Sunshine Coast.

“But they weren’t the only ones. When I was going in for my surgeries there were others not making it out alive.”

A Sunshine Coast Public Health spokeswoman released a statement in response to these accusations and confirmed the cases had doubled – but would not comment on whether anyone had died.

Andrew Emmerig, of Brisbane, nearly loses arm to ocean bacteria while on Sunshine Coast. Picture - contributed.

“Group A streptococcus is a very common bacteria that is found on humans and causes mild to moderate illness. The most common being ‘strep throat’, impetigo and cellulitis. In rare cases, Invasive Group A streptococcus disease can lead to necrotising fasciitis,” she said.

“With such small incidence rates of Invasive Group A streptococcus (iGAS) disease, it is difficult to determine whether there has been a rise in cases.

“All cases of iGAS disease are investigated by Queensland Health and appropriate surveillance occurs as part of routine public health activities. During our investigations we look for clusters, similarities in cases and early identification of the underlying cause of disease.”

“Due to patient confidentiality, we do not disclose data on other outcomes related to Invasive Group A streptococcus.

“The most effective way to prevent contracting Group A streptococcus is by practising good hygiene such as hand washing, covering your mouth when you cough or sneeze and not sharing personal items such as drinking glasses or eating utensils.

“Early signs and symptoms of iGAS disease may include high fever, dizziness, shortness of breath or chest pain, headache or neck stiffness, severe muscle aches and tenderness and sometimes redness at the wound site.

“Medical treatment should be sought immediately if you have symptoms of iGAS.”