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Medscape
20-05-2025
- Health
- Medscape
Flooding Triggers Major Melioidosis Outbreak in Australia
Australia has recorded its highest number of cases of the tropical bacterial infection melioidosis, which is thought to have been triggered by major rainfall and flooding. The outbreak has placed pressure on already strained hospitals in the area. The northeastern state of Queensland has recorded an unprecedented 215 cases of melioidosis so far this year compared with 59 cases over a similar period in 2024 and 46 cases in 2023. The state also recorded 31 deaths. 'We've had about four times more [cases] in Cairns and the hinterland area compared to the year-to-date average, and about six times more here in Townsville than the year-to-date average,' Jeff Warner, PhD, a microbiologist at the Australian Institute of Tropical Health and Medicine at James Cook University in Townsville, told Medscape Medical News. Both cities border the Great Barrier Reef. Townsville experienced massive floods in January and February caused by record-breaking rainfall, which is likely to have contributed to the surge in infections. Cairns has also experienced its wettest March on record. 'On top of what was already probably a spreader event back from Cyclone Jasper flooding, there's now been this additional significant weather event this year with a lot of water and a lot of flooding,' said Aileen Traves, MD, a general practitioner in Cairns. 'That obviously has made a huge difference to seeing the numbers really spike.' Aileen Traves, MD The increase in cases has put pressure on hospitals in the area, Traves told Medscape Medical News . 'There have been some additional pressures, like on intensive care here, because some of the people are so sick that they're actually ending up in the ICU.' 'Great Imitator' Melioidosis is caused by the bacterium Burkholderia pseudomallei , which is found in soil and water. The disease is endemic in tropical regions around the world, including northern Australia, and outbreaks are commonly tied to major rainfall events such as the monsoon. The infection can present as pneumonia, skin infections, or septicemia and has a mortality rate that ranges from around 10% in Australia to as high as 40% in Thailand. 'Clinically, it's one of the great imitators, along with tuberculosis and syphilis,' said Steven Donohue, MD, director of the Townsville Public Health Unit in Queensland. 'In other words, it can present in very different ways,' It can also remain latent or subclinical for a long period, potentially even decades. This feature led to its being labeled the 'Vietnamese time bomb' by US military personnel who were infected during their service in the Vietnam war. Steven Donohue, MD Those most vulnerable to severe infection tend to be older individuals with preexisting comorbidities, such as diabetes and kidney disease, and those with impaired immune systems. But one unusual feature of this latest outbreak is the number of younger, otherwise healthy individuals — particularly those working on building sites — presenting with the infection. 'They're often young, fit, and male, but they're working in conditions where they are being exposed potentially to the bacteria in their job,' Traves said. Potential Routes of Exposure How patients get exposed to and infected with B pseudomallei is still uncertain, Warner said. Bore water has been implicated as a source of infection through ingestion, as has subcutaneous inoculation via cuts or abrasions. Another possible source is inhalation. 'It's almost certainly true that it is aerosolized during the extreme weather.' Given that the organism usually resides in the soil, soil disturbance from development may be contributing to some of the clusters. 'The hypothesis up in Cairns is that the Bruce Highway extension being pushed through just south of Cairns has disrupted the environment to such an extent as to release B pseudomallei from layers of soil that weren't [normally exposed] to people,' he said. Another theory is that the cleanup from flooding in Townsville has exposed more people to the bacterium than usual. 'People are often having to clean up after floods or heavy rain in the wet, and often people are doing this with bare feet,' Donohue said. That cleanup process also sometimes includes the use of pressure hoses, which can aerosolize the water and soil and increase the likelihood of inhalation by people who are 'not necessarily wearing a mask or boots or gloves or all of the stuff they should,' he noted. Another factor could be the demographics of Australians in the area, Donohue said. 'We've got an aging population with a high rate of chronic diseases and also human movement into new suburbs and new settlements, so a lot of changes in behavior, a lot of changes in the environment.' Australia has experienced numerous extreme flooding events in recent years, particularly along the eastern coast, that have been attributed to climate change. This latest outbreak highlights the human health risks for climate change, Traves said. 'People don't always think about the associations with human health and planetary health, but I think this is a classic example.'
Yahoo
10-03-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Hidden killer lurking in floodwaters
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.
Yahoo
22-02-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Grim warning as rare disease kills three
Residents in flood-ravaged parts of northern Queensland have been warned to remain vigilant as three people's deaths are linked to rare soil-borne disease melioidosis. Two elderly people died on Thursday after another older person died 'within the past week', according to the Townsville Public Health Unit. Health authorities are on alert as the number of cases spikes across inundated regions including Townsville and Cairns, with Queensland Health already recording 69 cases of melioidosis so far this year. The rare soil-borne disease is caused by bacteria called Burkholderia pseudomallei, which can typically be found in soil and water in northern Australia and southeast Asia. During the wet season, the bacteria rises from deep in the soil to muddy surfaces. The recent floods that inundated parts of northern Queensland has created favourable conditions for the disease to spread, leaving communities vulnerable. Townsville Public Health Unit director Dr Steven Donohue told the ABC on Saturday that melioidosis rates were reaching 'record numbers'. Dr Donohue said about 10 per cent of those who contracted the disease would die. 'It's mainly in people who are elderly and sick ... (with) underlying diseases,' he said. 'A lot of people - if (the bacteria) is inhaled - they'll get fever, chest pain, cough, shortness of breath. 'But if it gets into the blood stream, causing blood poisoning, it can be aches and pains, headaches, confusion, (or) collapse - very serious symptoms.' Dr Donohue warned against the elderly or sick going near mud or floodwaters, and urged anyone who had to amid the cleanup efforts to wear protective gear including boots, gloves or a mask. The conditions in regions of north Queensland have also sparked new concerns of rising numbers of the Dengue virus, which is carried and transmitted by mosquitoes. Dr Donohue said the area had recorded 'a couple of clusters' of the virus, though the region was more protected after a new strain of mosquitoes that carry bacteria blocking the disease were released. He warned those cleaning up after the floods to 'take it very carefully'. 'If you get even a tiny wound, wash it thoroughly, put on an antiseptic and a bandage,' Dr Donohue said. People were also urged to see a medical professional if any symptoms occur.
Yahoo
20-02-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Alert after death from infectious disease
An elderly person has died from the serious infectious disease, melioidosis, that can be contracted from contaminated water, prompting a warning to residents in flood-affected North Queensland. The Townsville Public Health Unit said the elderly person died from melioidosis in the past week, while there have been three new cases of dengue virus. Director Dr Steven Donohue said melioidosis cases had increased during the wet season and after the major rains and flooding earlier in February. 'Melioidosis is a very serious infectious disease which is caused by soil bacteria in northern Australia,' Dr Donohue said. 'It can enter the body when a break in the skin comes into contact with contaminated water or by breathing in muddy droplets, causing pneumonia.' Symptoms for the infectious disease include fever, cough, chest pain, weight loss, muscle pain and headaches, and can develop within days or weeks of exposure to the bacteria. It can be diagnosed from blood or urine samples and treated with antibiotics. Dr Donohue urged residents to take precautions in the clean-up efforts following the floods. 'It's important to wear gloves, shoes and protective clothing when coming into contact with soil or floodwater, and you should wear a mask if you're pressure hosing mud to prevent inhaling germs in droplets,' he said. He also warned people to take precautions against dengue fever, although the risk 'remains low'. 'Use a zapper or mosquito coil, keep screens shut to prevent mosquitoes entering your home, remove pooled water where they can breed, and wear protective clothing and repellent to prevent bites.' Queenslanders can learn more about melioidosis, dengue virus, and other diseases and infections by calling 13 HEALTH (13 43 25 84).
