MP expects full recovery

By Dion Teasdale
GEMBROOK MP Tammy Lobato was at the centre of a hysterical media frenzy and public health scare last week.
The Labor backbencher was propelled into the spotlight after news she had tested positive to legionnaires disease was leaked to the media.
News of the health scare was broadcast on major metropolitan radio stations early on Wednesday morning, 31 May and a media storm erupted.
Ms Lobato’s electorate staff were inundated with inquiries from about 50 journalists and four television news crews staked out her Berwick home and office.
Ms Lobato told the Mail yesterday (Monday) that she was still awaiting the results of another round of blood tests to confirm she had contracted the disease.
She said she was initially notified of testing positive for the legionella species bacteria last Tuesday, 30 May while attending the Treasurer John Brumby’s budget speech in Parliament.
A secondary round of tests in the following days returned a negative result, which doctors said could have been effected by antibiotics Ms Lobato had been taking for a bout of pneumonia.
Ms Lobato said she expected definitive results this week and that in the meantime she would be continuing her treatment for pneumonia and expected to make a full recovery.
Receiving news of the initial diagnosis, and the subsequent media and community interest in her health, was overwhelming, Ms Lobato admitted.
“I did panic a little when I walked out of Parliament to phone my doctor.
“When my doctor told me the news I had to sit on the floor of the phone box to compose myself,” she said.
“I just didn’t know what the consequences would be and I freaked out a little when the diagnosis came through.”
Ms Lobato said she had been concerned about her health in recent weeks.
She said the most painful and worrying symptoms she had experienced were high fevers, uncontrollable shakes, joint pain and enduring physical exhaustion.
“There have been times over the past few weeks where I have felt like I was at death’s door,” she said.
Ms Lobato said she had been overwhelmed by the support from the Gembrook electorate.
“I think my office has heard from nearly all the community groups in my electorate. People have sent in flowers and cards and made phone calls,” she said.
“I’d like to thank all of my constituents for their concern and reassure them that I will continue to represent them per usual, though they may not have my full presence for a couple of weeks.”
While she was surprised by the intense media scrutiny, Ms Lobato said she understood the need for information.
“I recognise that this is a public health matter. People want to know where the scare came from and it is important to let people know what is going on,” she said.
Ms Lobato said that despite that fact that she has been given strict instructions to take it easy for the next few weeks, she hoped to return to Parliament this week.
“It has been difficult for me to slow down. I’m not one to do that.
“I get bored very quickly and I feel like I have an obligation to my children and my work in the electorate to keep going,” she said.
Health officials have conducted tests on cooling units which were considered to be the source of Ms Lobato’s illness but were unable to find a source for the disease.