Unfiltered spring water caused the lungs of a young man to collapse.
He was 33 years old at the time and moved to Queensland to look after his sick dad.
In July 2021, he visited his friends at Mount Elliot and drank the water from the springs.
Since then, he has been seriously ill. He was finally diagnosed with a lung disease caused by a bacteria found in water and soil in July 2023.
According to the Cleveland Clinic, the symptoms of NTM include fatigue, fever, and swollen lymph nodes.
Currently, Mr Capper is taking 16 tablets per day.
The infection has also spread to his left hip and lumbar spine. According to the Daily Mail Australia, he feels like he is being waited on by the doctors.
Before they could figure out what was causing his condition, Mr Capper had an X-ray, which revealed a hole in his lungs that had a hole.
A third of his lungs collapsed six weeks later. The infection then spread to his elbows, causing septic arthritis.
Mr Capper, who has been unable to work due to his condition, was also caring for his dad, who passed away in September last year. He drives to Brisbane to receive medical care.
A report by his doctors stated that the main concern for the young man was that he was slowly dying from the infection. They suggested that he receive treatment at the Ayr Hospital.
Mr Capper has various health conditions, including cystic fibrosis and Type 1 diabetes.
He has started a Gofundme page to help pay for his medical bills. Some of his medical costs have been covered by the Prince Charles Hospital.
Gillian Culbertson, a registered dietitian, warned people not to drink raw spring water. According to her, the water that comes from the springs can be contaminated with organic matter and bacteria.
Without the proper filtration process, it can make you very sick. Drinking raw spring water can also lead to various health issues. If you want to avoid this, you can always drink water that has been tested and filtered.
