Twelve people have died this year in Australia and dozens more have been infected after contracting the life-threatening bacterial disease melioidosis.
All of the people who died were from north Queensland, but cases have also been reported in the Northern Territory.
Here's what you need to know about melioidosis, what's causing it to spread, and your risk.
What is melioidosis?
Melioidosis is a rare but potentially fatal disease caused by Burkholderia pseudomallei, a bacterium found in soil and mud.
It's most common in tropical areas, with the majority of local cases recorded in the Northern Territory, north Queensland, and the Kimberley region of Western Australia.
Melioidosis bacteria can come to the surface during periods of heavy rainfall and flooding.
Melioidosis is caused by Burkholderia pseudomallei, a bacterium found in soil and mud. Source: Getty / Smith Collection/Gado
Professor Adrian Esterman, chair of biostatistics and epidemiology at The University of South Australia, said: "The bacteria can enter the body through open wounds, inhalation, or drinking contaminated water."
It doesn't typically spread from people or animals.
How many melioidosis cases have been detected in Australia this year?
Ninety-four cases of melioidosis have been recorded in Queensland so far this year, according to figures published by the state's health department on Monday.
That's more than three times the number of cases reported in the same period last year.
Most of the recent cases were recorded in the Cairns and Hinterland (56 per cent) and Townsville (33 per cent) Hospital and Health Service areas.
The 12 people who've died this year from melioidosis also lived in that region: nine in the Cairns and Hinterland area and three in Townsville.
The Northern Territory has recorded 28 cases since October, five of which were reported in the week to 19 February.
What are the symptoms of melioidosis?
Symptoms of melioidosis typically appear one to 21 days after you're exposed to the bacteria.
They can include fever, coughing, breathing difficulties, headaches, confusion, joint pain and swelling, difficulty passing urine for men, and skin infections and sores that won't heal.
"If untreated, melioidosis can lead to severe complications such as pneumonia or sepsis," Esterman said.
Anyone concerned about possible melioidosis symptoms is advised to visit their local GP, health clinic or hospital.
How is melioidosis treated?
Associate professor Aaron Elbourne, a research fellow in applied chemistry at RMIT University, said the bacteria that causes melioidosis is naturally resistant to several antibiotics, "making rapid and accurate diagnostics crucial to ensuring timely treatment".
Treatment depends on the severity of your infection, but patients typically need to receive high doses of intravenous antibiotics for at least two weeks while in hospital.
Once you're discharged, you'll likely also need to take antibiotics for around another three to six months.
If left untreated, melioidosis can lead to severe pneumonia and blood poisoning. Source: Getty / skaman306
"Investing in better detection methods and new antibiotic treatments is essential — not just for this disease, but for strengthening our ability to respond to emerging bacterial threats in the future," Elborune said.
Who's most at risk?
Melioidosis is considered rare in healthy adults and children, but it can affect anyone.
People with existing health conditions like diabetes, lung disease, kidney disease or kidney stones, and cancer are at increased risk of the disease.
The risk is also higher for those who drink a lot of alcohol, take medicines that affect their immune system, or are First Nations.
Why has there been a surge in melioidosis cases and deaths?
Queensland authorities are still investigating what exactly has caused the surge in melioidosis cases in the state's north.
One likely theory is that it's linked to the that have hit the region in recent months.
Several studies have found that melioidosis cases increase after tropical storms and extreme weather events.
Dr Layla Mahdi, a senior lecturer in clinical microbiology at The University of South Australia, said: "With climate change driving extreme weather events, enhanced surveillance, public awareness, and clinician education are vital for managing future outbreaks."
How can you reduce your melioidosis risk?
There is currently no vaccine available for melioidosis.
Health authorities advise reducing your risk of coming into contact with the bacteria that causes the disease by:
- avoiding gardening in wet weather
- wearing gloves and waterproof boots when working somewhere muddy
- covering cuts and sores with waterproof dressings
- showering after working somewhere muddy
- wearing a mask when using a high-pressure hose around soil or spraying high-pressure bore water
- being careful about your foot care if you have diabetes.
