A 13-year-old Darwin teen, Kian Guerreiro, is recovering after contracting melioidosis, a potentially deadly bacterial infection, from an open wound on his leg. Kian, an active sports enthusiast, spent two weeks in hospital receiving intensive treatment after being diagnosed with the disease, which is common in tropical areas like Darwin.
Melioidosis is caused by the Burkholderia pseudomallei bacterium, found in soil, water, and air, and can be contracted through cuts or abrasions exposed to contaminated environments. Kian’s family believes he contracted the bacteria after a sandfly bite on his leg during a muddy Aussie Rules football game in February 2024.
A Mysterious Illness
Kian’s mother, Aleece Cawood, initially thought her son’s symptoms were linked to the normal fatigue associated with puberty. However, when Kian woke up with a swollen, rash-covered elbow, she became concerned. Despite multiple visits to doctors and an ultrasound, his condition remained unexplained until he was diagnosed with melioidosis following surgery to treat an abscess near his elbow.
Kian, who also plays soccer and umpires footy matches, was struggling with fatigue and pain even during light physical activity. After undergoing emergency surgery and receiving a diagnosis, Kian was put on intravenous antibiotics for two weeks and oral antibiotics for three months. During this time, he suffered from severe nausea, dizziness, and weight loss, shedding nearly 10 kilograms as his immune system fought the infection.
Health Experts Weigh In
Professor Bart Currie, a leading expert on tropical and emerging infectious diseases at the Menzies School of Health Research, confirmed that melioidosis is a known issue in the Northern Territory, with 70% of Darwin’s sporting fields contaminated by the bacteria. However, he emphasized that melioidosis is not typically fatal for healthy individuals. While vulnerable populations, such as those with compromised immune systems, are at a higher risk, most healthy children, like Kian, are not expected to suffer severe consequences.
“Healthy kids are not going to get severely ill from melioidosis… we just recommend being sensible about any cuts or sores,” Professor Currie said.
Rising Cases and New Testing Efforts
Since October 2024, the Northern Territory has recorded seven cases of melioidosis. In the previous year, 70 cases were confirmed, five of which resulted in fatalities. Health authorities are urging people, especially those with pre-existing conditions, to take precautions when engaging in outdoor activities, such as covering sores and washing them after exposure to muddy environments.
In response to the growing concern, a global research project, supported by a US-based company and led by researchers at Menzies, is working to develop a rapid antigen test for melioidosis. This test, which uses sputum, urine, or blood samples, could significantly shorten diagnosis times, offering quicker access to treatment. The test is expected to be trialed at Royal Darwin Hospital in 2025.
“This rapid antigen test will have a role to play in smaller places where they don’t have the laboratory resources we have here,” Professor Currie explained. “It’s a game-changer for diagnosing melioidosis quickly, especially in regions without advanced medical facilities.”
While melioidosis remains a serious concern in tropical regions, Kian’s recovery and the advancements in rapid testing offer hope for better management of the disease in the future.
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