Tourist survives deadly disease
AUSTRALIAN national Adrian Nandapi suffered an unfortunate incident while on holiday in Fiji where a small cut on his right shin developed into a bacterial infection called necrotizing fasciitis, or commonly known as flesh-eating disease.
Mr Nandapi and his family arrived in Fiji on April 26 for a weeklong holiday and stayed at a resort along the Coral Coast in Nadroga.
“The incident occurred on Sunday, May 5 at about 12 noon, just before lunch. My family and I were in the pool playing water polo with a number of other resort guests,” Mr Nandapi said.
“I chased after the ball and my leg came into contact with the edge of a step in the pool. My right shinbone suffered a scratch which later turned into a gash about 24 hours later.”
Mr Nandapi said he did not seek medical attention in Fiji because he knew he was to fly to Melbourne but begun to experience pain and was unable to walk properly.
“Not being medical professionals, neither of us was aware of how seriously bad this was about to become. Towards the latter part of the flight, I was given a row of three seats to lie down and elevate my leg,” he said. Upon arrival in Melbourne, he was taken to the Northern Hospital in Epping where medical assessments were conducted. Mr Nandapi said he was given an assortment of drugs and was informed that as a worst case scenario his leg below his right knee could be amputated.
“My family was informed that I may not come out of ICU (Intensive Care Unit) due to the severe nature of the bacterial infection I suffered.”
Mr Nandapi said the bacterial infection ate away the muscle and skin of the affected area.
“It is also a form of gangrene where the bacteria causes tissue death which is the result of a lack of blood supply.”
Mr Nandapi was admitted for about four weeks at the hospital.
“Initially I spent five days (May 7-11) in ICU then I was moved to the plastics ward for two weeks (May 11-24). I also received four rounds of kidney dialysis as the infection had also impacted on my kidney function.”
He was finally discharged from the hospital on May 24 and was able to return to work three weeks later.
Mr Nandapi said despite the unfortunate incident, he still regarded Fiji as a beautiful country with beautiful, respectable and hospitable people.
Health and Medical Services Minister Dr Ifereimi Waqainabete said the infection could happen to anyone and related to multiple factors including the host community. “Necrotising fasciitis is a very aggressive soft tissue infection caused by bacteria and can be singular or multiple,” he said.
He said the ministry’s intervention with regards to this infection was similar to those employed in the western world which included aggressive resuscitation, intravenous antibiotics and surgical excision.
He adds supportive therapy is also needed such as dialysis, ventilatory support, nutrition and wound care. Dr Waqainabete said Fiji had a good care rate because it followed best practice as advised by medical literature.
Necrotising fasciitis is a very aggressive soft tissue infection caused by bacteria and can be singular or multiple