Hidden killer lurking in floodwaters

Yahoo

10-03-2025

Millions of Australians have been warned of a deadly 'mud bug' brought out by floodwaters that has already claimed almost 20 lives.
As the clean-up begins in the wake of ex-cyclone Alfred, health experts have issued a warning to residents about the deadly melioidosis bacteria, which is found in mud and water and comes to surface after heavy rain and extreme weather events.
While the bacteria usually lives beneath the soil and is harmless to most healthy adults, it can easily spread in the air and water and enter a person via cuts, scratches or airborne water droplets.
Mater Health Services director of infectious diseases Paul Griffin said 'a lot of things are in floodwaters' that can be far more dangerous than they first appear.
'Unfortunately, (floodwaters) facilitate transmission of all sorts of germs that usually live in soils and water sources,' he told Sunrise.
'They don't usually cause infections.'
So far, more than 100 cases of melioidosis have been recorded in Queensland, 80 of which have been recorded in North Queensland.
Nearly 20 people have lost their lives to the deadly disease.
While melioidosis is rare and less likely to affect healthy adults, those who are immunocompromised, who consume high levels of alcohol, live with diabetes or a long-term illness are more susceptible to the disease.
About 10 per cent of those who contract the disease will die, Townsville Public Health Unit director Steven Donohue told the ABC.
Symptoms are flu-like, such as headache and fever, chest pain, cough and lack of appetite.
The disease can also cause non-healing ulcers and skin sores.
If left untreated, the bacteria can spread to other organs, including the spleen and liver, and lead to sepsis, which can be fatal.
To prevent the spread of the deadly bacteria, Dr Griffin recommends wearing protective clothing while entering any flooded areas or cleaning up after the cyclone.
'Be sure to clean, disinfect and cover any wounds, wear a mask and protect yourself from contaminated particles that can be inhaled or ingested,' he told Yahoo News.
Queensland Health recommends wearing waterproof footwear, such as gumboots, and rubber gloves while working outdoors and cover all wounds, lesions and burns with waterproof dressings.
'People participating in mud play or activities that include exposure to deeper layers of mud should be aware of the possible increased risk of melioidosis,' the Queensland Health website reads.