The wife of a NSW man in intensive care with Japanese encephalitis has urged others to be alert to even the slightest signs of the virus, after her husband has been left incapacitated for almost three weeks.
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Jackie Monk, who has been a constant presence at her husband David Kiefel's bedside in The Alfred Hospital in Melbourne, told of their ordeal.
"It was absolutely and utterly out of the blue," she said.
After having been transferred from Albury hospital, Mr Kiefel, from Corowa on the banks of the Murray River, has begun to respond to questions with facial expressions, and can move his toes.
Ms Monk said late on Thursday doctors had called her 61-year-old husband's case a "medical miracle", given the severity of his symptoms of the mosquito-borne disease.
"Today my heart's just flying," Ms Monk said.
"This is a massive turnaround. The doctor told me he was much more alert, he was starting to move."
Although Mr Kiefel initially appeared to be having a stroke, his condition deteriorated rapidly.
Within 24 hours, he was transferred from Corowa Hospital to Albury Base Hospital, and then to the intensive care unit at The Alfred Hospital in Melbourne.
Ms Monk has begun a Facebook advocacy campaign calling for at-risk communities, and eventually the general public, to receive vaccinations.
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"He would always be actively involved in community affairs, whether it's with the hockey, or the community gardens," Ms Loridas said.
"He's always been the first person to put his hand up to help out."
Mr Kiefel is the full-time carer for his wife, who suffers from an autoimmune disease, which leaves her unable to stand or walk for long periods.
Ms Loridas has created a GoFundMe online appeal portal to assist the Kiefels.
She said Mrs Kiefel needs assistance with accommodation costs in Melbourne and is likely to require financial support over the longer term.
"I really want the local community ... to get behind both Dave and Jackie," she said.
"Not only do they need help financially, they need help to get the message out to the rest of Australia as well.
"Most media reports are portraying this virus as no more severe than a head ache or lethargy, my friend David is fighting for his life."
Family and friends of Mr Kiefel are facing the fact he may never return home.
"He's only working because the machines are working for him," Ms Loridas said.
"I have two children, and Dave really fosters that sort of ... grandfatherly figure over my children."
Caroline Tung
Since moving to the Border, I have grown to love the community and telling stories of its extraordinary people. I previously worked in Gladstone, Sydney and Melbourne. In 2019, I was awarded the Walkley Foundation's Jacoby Walkley Scholarship for TV journalism. 2018 Melbourne Press Club Quill Awards finalist. Monash University Master of Journalism graduate.
Since moving to the Border, I have grown to love the community and telling stories of its extraordinary people. I previously worked in Gladstone, Sydney and Melbourne. In 2019, I was awarded the Walkley Foundation's Jacoby Walkley Scholarship for TV journalism. 2018 Melbourne Press Club Quill Awards finalist. Monash University Master of Journalism graduate.
