Melioidosis outbreak continues in Cairns as experts urge residents to “maintain their vigilance”

The melioidosis outbreak has claimed two more lives in Cairns, as case numbers continue to grow alongside the wettest March in Far North Queensland’s history.

Tropical Public Health Services director Dr Jacqueline Murdoch and infectious disease specialist Dr Simon Smith provide an update on Far North Queensland's melioidosis outbreak. Picture: Molly Frew

The melioidosis outbreak has claimed two more lives in Cairns, as case numbers continue to grow alongside the wettest March in Far North Queensland’s history.

There have been 77 cases of melioidosis in Cairns since January 1 and 11 deaths.

“We have seen more melioidosis cases in Cairns and the Hinterland region owing to the recent increase in rain again,” Tropical Public Health Services director Dr Jacqueline Murdoch said.

Ms Murdoch said 95 per cent of melioidosis patients have a known risk factor to the disease including diabetes, old age, renal, lung or heart disease, heavy alcohol use or taking immunosuppressant medication such as chemotherapy.

She also said the disease had disproportionately affected the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander population.

Men and women have been equally represented in the case numbers, with most cases seen in the southern corridor of Cairns and central Cairns.

“It’s really important that people maintain their vigilance and take precautions,” Ms Murdoch said.

“So, continuing to cover up wounds to prevent skin infection and for those people in those risk groups to really avoid being at that heavy rainfall. If you can, wearing a mask if you’re out in heavy rainfall or doing high pressure hosing.”

Melioidosis is a bacterial disease that lives in soil and often enters the body through inhalation or open wounds on the skin. Picture: Supplied/Menzies School of Health Research

Ms Murdoch said her team was still investigating the cause of the outbreak.

“We know that cases are very correlated with the rainfall, but we don’t know why the rainfall is having such an extraordinary effect this year. That will be a research piece to undertake to understand better,” Ms Murdoch said.

Cairns Base Hospital infectious disease specialist Dr Simon Smith said melioidosis treatment was lengthy and the outbreak was placing a “huge burden” on the hospital.

Mr Smith said children rarely contract the disease, but if a child has a skin sore that isn’t healing, it’s worth seeking medical attention. Picture: NewsWire / Glenn Campbell

Mr Smith said melioidosis is treated through intravenous antibiotics for two to eight weeks, but the disease was “very complex”, with 25-30 per cent of cases requiring support in an intensive care unit.

“We (also) have to provide support for (patients’) lungs, their kidneys, as well as their blood pressure,” he said.

“Right now we have 20 people in hospital with melioidosis, including four in the intensive care unit. We also have an additional 12 people receiving antibiotic therapy at home, so it’s having a huge impact.

“If you’re feeling unwell, it’s important to seek medical care, particularly if you have one of the high risk conditions.

“Or if you see any skin sores or cuts, that just aren’t healing, you see any problems with passing urine because 20 per cent of people will develop abscesses in their prostate in men, but also females can develop infections in their kidneys renal tract. Or if you’re just feeling generally unwell with fevers, then it’s worth seeing medical care.”

Originally published as Melioidosis outbreak continues in Cairns as experts urge residents to “maintain their vigilance”