Cairns Hospital reports melioidosis deaths in middle of 2024-25 wet season, increase in cases

Health officials are searching for answers as to why there’s been a sharp increase of a deadly disease in the Far North, urging residents with symptoms to seek immediate care.

Cairns Hospital is reporting melioidosis deaths in middle of 2024-25 wet season as well as an increase in cases Picture: Brendan Radke

Health officials are searching for answers as to why there’s been a sharp increase of a deadly disease in the Far North, while urging residents with symptoms to seek immediate care.

Cairns and Hinterland Hospital and Health reported there had been nearly 40 confirmed cases of melioidosis in the region since the beginning of the wet season, including two deaths.

There were only 14 cases in the region in 2024, despite heavy rain and widespread flooding, leaving this year’s increase puzzling authorities.

Tropical Public Health Services director Dr Jacqui Murdoch said the serious bacterial disease which lived in soil and groundwater was more prevalent during the wet season, particularly after rain and flooding.

She said the recent spike in cases was mostly occuring in the Cairns south region, and the majority of patients had contracted it by breathing it in.

Dr Jacqui Murdoch says the serious bacterial disease which lived in soil and groundwater was more prevalent during the wet season, particularly after recent rain and flooding. Picture: Brendan Radke

“When it’s windy and when there’s been heavy rain, it can circulate in the air and people breathe it in,” she said.

Melioidosis can also be transmitted by ingesting contaminated water or through abrasions in the skin, making it particularly dangerous to Far Northerners cleaning or working in muddy conditions during severe weather events.

Dr Murdoch said most healthy adults were not at risk of contracting severe melioidosis, but those particularly vulnerable included immunocompromised residents with conditions such as diabetes, kidney problems, lung problems or those undergoing cancer treatments.

She said symptoms included fever, cough and it could also develop on the skin.

“Most of the cases that we’re seeing are cases affecting the lungs or people getting really sick with sepsis (a condition which can cause organ and tissue failure).”

Cairns and Hinterland Hospital and Health Service Tropical Public Health Service director Dr Jacqui Murdoch.

Dr Murdoch said it was difficult to distinguish self-diagnose melioidosis based on the symptoms, urging residents to present to their healthcare providers or emergency departments.

She said the disease was capable of progressing “quite quickly” once transmitted, and about 10 per cent of cases, even when treated, were fatal.

She said while increases in flooding events forcing residents to engage with muddy conditions increased the chances of the transmitting the diseases, it could also be found in natural waterways.

Dr Murdoch said there was no particular reason the Cairns south region was a hotspot, and officials were unsure why there had been a spike in cases this year, despite similar weather impacting the region last year.

Health officials are unsure why there has been a sharp increase in melioidosis, commonly associated with flooding. Rural Fire Brigade members Mark Schermer and Tyson Pringle hose out a flooded shed in the backyard of a Gregory Street home in Cardwell. Picture: Brendan Radke

“It’s not clear, I guess possibly some of the flooding last year brought it to the surface, and then it’s more superficial.

“And so when the rain starts it’s circulating more, but really that’s just speculation. We don’t know why there’s been so much this year, given there was obviously a lot of rain last year.”

Preventing melioidosis

There is no vaccine to prevent melioidosis. During the wet season, residents, particularly those with an underlying medical condition, should take the following precautions.

• Wear protective footwear when outdoors

• Wear gloves while working in the garden, on the farm etc.

• Cover abrasions and sores with waterproof dressings

• Wash thoroughly (preferably shower) after exposure to soil or muddy water, and after working outdoors

• Diabetics should maintain optimal foot care, with help from a podiatrist if necessary.

Originally published as Cairns Hospital reports melioidosis deaths in middle of 2024-25 wet season, increase in cases