Skyla Sellars, 7, one of two Seaford children to contract ‘Bairnsdale Ulcer’ bug plagueing peninsula
A MYSTERY flesh-eating bug continues to plague the Mornington Peninsula, with two fresh cases reported in Seaford.
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A MYSTERY flesh eating bug continues to plague the peninsula, with two new cases reported in Seaford.
Laura Sellars said tests showed her daughter, Skyla, 7, had Buruli ulcer — commonly known as ‘Bairnsdale Ulcer’.
The Seaford family was alerted to the problem when Skyla complained about a sore knee that started to swell.
“I was horrified. It’s something eating away at my daughter. I was shocked,” Ms Sellars said.
She said the bug had damaged a 3cm by 3cm section of Skyla’s skin and she might need a skin graft.
Ms Sellars said she had also heard of a second case at her daughter’s school, Seaford Primary.
The school declined to comment, and referred Leader to the Health Department.
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Leader can reveal that notifications of the bug increased sharply in Mornington Peninsula Shire from 17 cases in 2014 to 56 this year. In Frankston, reports have risen from seven in 2014 to 13 this year to date, while across the state cases have spiked from 89 to 159 during the period.
Health experts are unsure how the vicious bacteria is transmitted.
Victorian Department of Health and Human Services spokesman Bram Alexander said experts were looking at a link with possum faeces and collecting samples for analysis from sites on the peninsula.
“This field work follows on from earlier efforts to establish what links there may be
between possums and mosquitoes in the transmission of Buruli ulcer to humans,” he said.
Health officials said as well as the coastal regions of Victoria, Buruli ulcer was also present in
tropical Queensland and work was underway there to examine how it gets from the environment and into humans.
Another case in Tyabb involves a 13 year old girlElla, who has launched a petition to present to Federal Health Minister Flinders MP Greg Hunt, to raise awareness and call for more research.
Her mother, Lucy Burns said the family was stunned when she developed the ulcer, which is also on her right knee.
Ms Burns, a GP, said the bug was “in certain pockets of the peninsula”.
“They don’t understand the transmission,” she said.
“Answers to these questions would help prevent a worsening epidemic.”
Both Skyla and Ella are receiving antibiotics to combat the bug.
Mr Hunt praised Ella for her courage.
“I have spoken with Ella who is a very brave and courageous young lady,” he said.
“She must be commended on a personal level and for her advocacy on this issue.”
Mr Hunt said he had he asked the government’s chief medical officer to work with Victoria on additional research priorities and support.
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