Grandad Kevin Walker nearly died after contracting Shewanella bacteria in Mandurah estuary while crabbing

A Mandurah grandfather says he almost died after contracting a terrifying flesh-eating bacteria in the Peel-Harvey Estuary.

Kevin Walker spoke to the Times in the hope of warning others about the hidden dangers in the estuary.

Mr Walker rolled over at the Novara boat ramp in Falcon on December 9 when the boat he was in broke down.

He and a friend had to enter the water to drag the drifting ship back to shore.

Mr. Walker fainted when he returned to land, but went home and became increasingly ill as the day progressed.

Mr Walker arrived at Peel Health Campus at 3am and doctors took a sample from a cut on his leg.

Mr Walker was desperate to return home to feed his pets, so he left hospital but was admitted on Wednesday at his doctor’s insistence.

By then Mr Walker’s leg had doubled in size and bacteria was moving towards his brain.

Swabs revealed that Shewanella moss had entered Mr Walker’s bloodstream through a cut on his leg.

Shewanella is a naturally occurring bacterium in estuarine environments, but infections in humans are rare.

“The doctor who came and saw me on Sunday said he had been a doctor for 31 years and had never heard of this disease, never seen anyone with it,” Mr Walker said.

The 82-year-old man said the infection appeared to be “elephitis” in his leg and was leaking plasma.

Although Mr Walker was previously fit and healthy, he was likely vulnerable to Shewanella due to his age.

Shewanella infections tend to occur more frequently in people with underlying risk factors, including those who are immunocompromised.

“This was the worst thing I’ve ever felt. I asked the doctor to take me out of this world,” Mr Walker said.

Mr. Walker believes that at one point he came close to death and at the other end he was presented with a choice: you can leave or you can stay.

“It’s a scary feeling being out of your body, walking around, you read all these stories about people having out-of-body experiences, you know what happened to me,” she added.

“I see the world in a different light now, completely different, and if I can help someone else and tell them it’s there, it will be worth it.

Mr Walker’s infection was treated with strong antibiotics, but some cases require surgery.

By Tuesday, his kidneys had shut down and doctors were checking how badly they were damaged.

The Department of Water monitors Shewanella in local estuaries because it only looks for phytoplankton levels, not bacteria.

A spokesperson for the Metropolitan Health Service South said although there was no current warning against the use of Estuary, people should be careful.

“You are advised not to swim or crab with open cuts or wounds, and anyone who sustains an injury in these environments should watch for signs of infection, such as redness, swelling, pain or feeling unwell, and seek medical attention,” they added.

“It is important to remember that estuary waters naturally contain a variety of pathogens, including Shewanella, so awareness and timely care is key to reducing the risk.

“Shewanella can also be transmitted through consumption of raw seafood.”

Mr Walker hopes his experience can provide a warning to other estuary users as crab season brings thousands of people to Mandurah’s waterways.

“I wouldn’t wish this experience on my worst enemy,” Mr. Walker concluded.