What lies beneath - sludgy waters increase the threat of the 'Mud Bug'

The Advertiser

28-05-2025

As floodwaters begin to recede across the Hunter and Mid North Coast, health experts are warning of a potential threat that may be less visible but no less dangerous.
The deadly soil-borne disease, melioidosis, also known as the Mud Bug, is caused by the bacterium Burkholderia pseudomallei.
It has claimed dozens of lives in northern Queensland this year alone, with over 220 cases and 31 deaths reported to date.
Now, experts fear the disease could pose a risk further south, including parts of the Hunter and Mid North Coast, where heavy rainfall and widespread inundation have created ideal conditions for the bacterium to surface.
While there are currently no confirmed cases of melioidosis in the Macleay Valley, public awareness is key to early detection and treatment.
Melioidosis is often referred to as "the great mimicker" because of its wide range of symptoms. Infections can appear as pneumonia, fever, sepsis, or non-healing skin ulcers, making it difficult to diagnose without specific testing. Left untreated, the disease can be fatal.
The bacterium lives naturally in tropical soil and surface water, lying dormant in dry conditions but becoming active with heavy rainfall and flooding.
Humans typically contract it through skin abrasions, inhalation of contaminated dust or water, or ingestion of untreated water. Symptoms may appear between 1-21 days after exposure, but in some cases, infection can emerge years later.
Historically, melioidosis has been confined to tropical regions north of Rockhampton. However, as climate change brings warmer and wetter conditions further south, there is growing concern that B. pseudomallei could become established in new areas, including northern NSW.
Researchers are tracking the organism's suspected spread, along with the spread of other pathogens such as Leptospira.
At least one confirmed case of another pathogen, Leptospirosis, emerged during the clean-up of Ex-Tropical Cyclone Alfred, which is spread through contaminated animal urine.
With Kempsey and surrounding areas experiencing extensive flooding in recent weeks, the environmental conditions are now alarmingly similar to those seen in northern Queensland during their outbreak earlier this year.
This raises the possibility that locals, especially those involved in flood clean-up efforts, could be at risk of exposure.
Dr Jessica Tout-Lyon of CSU is warning people to stay vigilant as we embark on a massive post-flood clean-up. Any cuts or abrasions, no matter how minor, should be tended to immediately.
Dr Tout-Lyon explained it is not just flood waters that can be affected, and a handful of locals have reported contracting gastrointestinal viruses and intense wound infections from activities such as ocean swimming and surfing.
According to infectious disease specialists, individuals with underlying health conditions such as diabetes, kidney or lung disease, cancer, or those who consume alcohol heavily, are at higher risk of developing severe melioidosis. However, healthy individuals are not immune.
Local health authorities are urging residents to take the following precautions:
Avoid direct contact with muddy or flood-affected soil and water, especially if you have cuts, abrasions, or open wounds.
Wear gloves, boots, and protective clothing when cleaning up flood-affected properties.
Do not use high-pressure hoses that may aerosolise contaminated water or soil.
Cover and properly treat all wounds, no matter how minor.
Seek immediate medical attention if you develop symptoms such as fever, cough, chest pain, or unexplained sores after potential exposure.
As the community rallies to recover from the physical and economic damage wrought by the May floods, residents must remain alert to the quieter, but potentially lethal, risks posed by the post-flood environment. With climate patterns shifting and infectious diseases like melioidosis moving into new territories, the Macleay's best weapon is informed vigilance.
As floodwaters begin to recede across the Hunter and Mid North Coast, health experts are warning of a potential threat that may be less visible but no less dangerous.
The deadly soil-borne disease, melioidosis, also known as the Mud Bug, is caused by the bacterium Burkholderia pseudomallei.
It has claimed dozens of lives in northern Queensland this year alone, with over 220 cases and 31 deaths reported to date.
Now, experts fear the disease could pose a risk further south, including parts of the Hunter and Mid North Coast, where heavy rainfall and widespread inundation have created ideal conditions for the bacterium to surface.
While there are currently no confirmed cases of melioidosis in the Macleay Valley, public awareness is key to early detection and treatment.
Melioidosis is often referred to as "the great mimicker" because of its wide range of symptoms. Infections can appear as pneumonia, fever, sepsis, or non-healing skin ulcers, making it difficult to diagnose without specific testing. Left untreated, the disease can be fatal.
The bacterium lives naturally in tropical soil and surface water, lying dormant in dry conditions but becoming active with heavy rainfall and flooding.
Humans typically contract it through skin abrasions, inhalation of contaminated dust or water, or ingestion of untreated water. Symptoms may appear between 1-21 days after exposure, but in some cases, infection can emerge years later.
Historically, melioidosis has been confined to tropical regions north of Rockhampton. However, as climate change brings warmer and wetter conditions further south, there is growing concern that B. pseudomallei could become established in new areas, including northern NSW.
Researchers are tracking the organism's suspected spread, along with the spread of other pathogens such as Leptospira.
At least one confirmed case of another pathogen, Leptospirosis, emerged during the clean-up of Ex-Tropical Cyclone Alfred, which is spread through contaminated animal urine.
With Kempsey and surrounding areas experiencing extensive flooding in recent weeks, the environmental conditions are now alarmingly similar to those seen in northern Queensland during their outbreak earlier this year.
This raises the possibility that locals, especially those involved in flood clean-up efforts, could be at risk of exposure.
Dr Jessica Tout-Lyon of CSU is warning people to stay vigilant as we embark on a massive post-flood clean-up. Any cuts or abrasions, no matter how minor, should be tended to immediately.
Dr Tout-Lyon explained it is not just flood waters that can be affected, and a handful of locals have reported contracting gastrointestinal viruses and intense wound infections from activities such as ocean swimming and surfing.
According to infectious disease specialists, individuals with underlying health conditions such as diabetes, kidney or lung disease, cancer, or those who consume alcohol heavily, are at higher risk of developing severe melioidosis. However, healthy individuals are not immune.
Local health authorities are urging residents to take the following precautions:
Avoid direct contact with muddy or flood-affected soil and water, especially if you have cuts, abrasions, or open wounds.
Wear gloves, boots, and protective clothing when cleaning up flood-affected properties.
Do not use high-pressure hoses that may aerosolise contaminated water or soil.
Cover and properly treat all wounds, no matter how minor.
Seek immediate medical attention if you develop symptoms such as fever, cough, chest pain, or unexplained sores after potential exposure.
As the community rallies to recover from the physical and economic damage wrought by the May floods, residents must remain alert to the quieter, but potentially lethal, risks posed by the post-flood environment. With climate patterns shifting and infectious diseases like melioidosis moving into new territories, the Macleay's best weapon is informed vigilance.
As floodwaters begin to recede across the Hunter and Mid North Coast, health experts are warning of a potential threat that may be less visible but no less dangerous.
The deadly soil-borne disease, melioidosis, also known as the Mud Bug, is caused by the bacterium Burkholderia pseudomallei.
It has claimed dozens of lives in northern Queensland this year alone, with over 220 cases and 31 deaths reported to date.
Now, experts fear the disease could pose a risk further south, including parts of the Hunter and Mid North Coast, where heavy rainfall and widespread inundation have created ideal conditions for the bacterium to surface.
While there are currently no confirmed cases of melioidosis in the Macleay Valley, public awareness is key to early detection and treatment.
Melioidosis is often referred to as "the great mimicker" because of its wide range of symptoms. Infections can appear as pneumonia, fever, sepsis, or non-healing skin ulcers, making it difficult to diagnose without specific testing. Left untreated, the disease can be fatal.
The bacterium lives naturally in tropical soil and surface water, lying dormant in dry conditions but becoming active with heavy rainfall and flooding.
Humans typically contract it through skin abrasions, inhalation of contaminated dust or water, or ingestion of untreated water. Symptoms may appear between 1-21 days after exposure, but in some cases, infection can emerge years later.
Historically, melioidosis has been confined to tropical regions north of Rockhampton. However, as climate change brings warmer and wetter conditions further south, there is growing concern that B. pseudomallei could become established in new areas, including northern NSW.
Researchers are tracking the organism's suspected spread, along with the spread of other pathogens such as Leptospira.
At least one confirmed case of another pathogen, Leptospirosis, emerged during the clean-up of Ex-Tropical Cyclone Alfred, which is spread through contaminated animal urine.
With Kempsey and surrounding areas experiencing extensive flooding in recent weeks, the environmental conditions are now alarmingly similar to those seen in northern Queensland during their outbreak earlier this year.
This raises the possibility that locals, especially those involved in flood clean-up efforts, could be at risk of exposure.
Dr Jessica Tout-Lyon of CSU is warning people to stay vigilant as we embark on a massive post-flood clean-up. Any cuts or abrasions, no matter how minor, should be tended to immediately.
Dr Tout-Lyon explained it is not just flood waters that can be affected, and a handful of locals have reported contracting gastrointestinal viruses and intense wound infections from activities such as ocean swimming and surfing.
According to infectious disease specialists, individuals with underlying health conditions such as diabetes, kidney or lung disease, cancer, or those who consume alcohol heavily, are at higher risk of developing severe melioidosis. However, healthy individuals are not immune.
Local health authorities are urging residents to take the following precautions:
Avoid direct contact with muddy or flood-affected soil and water, especially if you have cuts, abrasions, or open wounds.
Wear gloves, boots, and protective clothing when cleaning up flood-affected properties.
Do not use high-pressure hoses that may aerosolise contaminated water or soil.
Cover and properly treat all wounds, no matter how minor.
Seek immediate medical attention if you develop symptoms such as fever, cough, chest pain, or unexplained sores after potential exposure.
As the community rallies to recover from the physical and economic damage wrought by the May floods, residents must remain alert to the quieter, but potentially lethal, risks posed by the post-flood environment. With climate patterns shifting and infectious diseases like melioidosis moving into new territories, the Macleay's best weapon is informed vigilance.
As floodwaters begin to recede across the Hunter and Mid North Coast, health experts are warning of a potential threat that may be less visible but no less dangerous.
The deadly soil-borne disease, melioidosis, also known as the Mud Bug, is caused by the bacterium Burkholderia pseudomallei.
It has claimed dozens of lives in northern Queensland this year alone, with over 220 cases and 31 deaths reported to date.
Now, experts fear the disease could pose a risk further south, including parts of the Hunter and Mid North Coast, where heavy rainfall and widespread inundation have created ideal conditions for the bacterium to surface.
While there are currently no confirmed cases of melioidosis in the Macleay Valley, public awareness is key to early detection and treatment.
Melioidosis is often referred to as "the great mimicker" because of its wide range of symptoms. Infections can appear as pneumonia, fever, sepsis, or non-healing skin ulcers, making it difficult to diagnose without specific testing. Left untreated, the disease can be fatal.
The bacterium lives naturally in tropical soil and surface water, lying dormant in dry conditions but becoming active with heavy rainfall and flooding.
Humans typically contract it through skin abrasions, inhalation of contaminated dust or water, or ingestion of untreated water. Symptoms may appear between 1-21 days after exposure, but in some cases, infection can emerge years later.
Historically, melioidosis has been confined to tropical regions north of Rockhampton. However, as climate change brings warmer and wetter conditions further south, there is growing concern that B. pseudomallei could become established in new areas, including northern NSW.
Researchers are tracking the organism's suspected spread, along with the spread of other pathogens such as Leptospira.
At least one confirmed case of another pathogen, Leptospirosis, emerged during the clean-up of Ex-Tropical Cyclone Alfred, which is spread through contaminated animal urine.
With Kempsey and surrounding areas experiencing extensive flooding in recent weeks, the environmental conditions are now alarmingly similar to those seen in northern Queensland during their outbreak earlier this year.
This raises the possibility that locals, especially those involved in flood clean-up efforts, could be at risk of exposure.
Dr Jessica Tout-Lyon of CSU is warning people to stay vigilant as we embark on a massive post-flood clean-up. Any cuts or abrasions, no matter how minor, should be tended to immediately.
Dr Tout-Lyon explained it is not just flood waters that can be affected, and a handful of locals have reported contracting gastrointestinal viruses and intense wound infections from activities such as ocean swimming and surfing.
According to infectious disease specialists, individuals with underlying health conditions such as diabetes, kidney or lung disease, cancer, or those who consume alcohol heavily, are at higher risk of developing severe melioidosis. However, healthy individuals are not immune.
Local health authorities are urging residents to take the following precautions:
Avoid direct contact with muddy or flood-affected soil and water, especially if you have cuts, abrasions, or open wounds.
Wear gloves, boots, and protective clothing when cleaning up flood-affected properties.
Do not use high-pressure hoses that may aerosolise contaminated water or soil.
Cover and properly treat all wounds, no matter how minor.
Seek immediate medical attention if you develop symptoms such as fever, cough, chest pain, or unexplained sores after potential exposure.
As the community rallies to recover from the physical and economic damage wrought by the May floods, residents must remain alert to the quieter, but potentially lethal, risks posed by the post-flood environment. With climate patterns shifting and infectious diseases like melioidosis moving into new territories, the Macleay's best weapon is informed vigilance.