The death toll from the soil-borne disease melioidosis in Queensland has risen to 16, with recent reports confirming another fatality in the Townsville region. The state’s hospitals have now recorded more than 100 cases since the onset of the wet season, marking an unprecedented spike in infections.
Over the past week, two additional deaths were reported at the Townsville Hospital and Health Service, bringing the total number of fatalities in the area to seven. Further north, the Cairns health service district has seen nine deaths this year due to melioidosis, exacerbating concerns among health officials.
Jacqueline Murdoch, a health expert with the Cairns and Hinterland Hospital and Health Service, commented that the rate of new cases appears to be slowing in the region. She suggested the decline may be linked to a reduction in rainfall. “We think that the slowdown in cases is associated with the reduction in rainfall and wet weather,” Dr. Murdoch said. However, she emphasized that the occurrence of new cases largely depends on weather patterns. “We are at the mercy of the weather,” she added.
Melioidosis, caused by the Burkholderia pseudomallei bacteria found in contaminated soil, is more commonly recorded following heavy rainfall. The disease can spread when the bacteria comes into direct contact with open wounds, or when contaminated particles are inhaled or ingested.
Dr. Murdoch highlighted that certain groups are at higher risk, including the elderly, individuals with kidney disease, Indigenous populations, and heavy alcohol users. “Most of the cases have been in people over the age of 50,” she said. “It’s crucial to raise awareness for these vulnerable groups.”
With Cyclone Alfred expected to bring heavy rainfall to southeast Queensland later this week, concerns are rising over a potential spread of the bacteria in the region. However, Dr. Murdoch reassured that melioidosis is more prevalent in the northern areas of the state, rather than subtropical regions like Brisbane.
To prevent infection, Dr. Murdoch urged the public to take precautions when working outdoors, especially during wet weather. “If there are cuts or grazes, it’s important to cover them up,” she advised. “Wearing shoes, especially if there are open wounds, is crucial to reducing the risk of exposure.”
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