Buruli ulcer Melbourne: new cases of disease detected in Brunswick, Pascoe Vale, Essendon

Cases of a flesh-eating ulcer have been found in Melbourne’s northern suburbs, prompting a warning from health authorities.

A flesh-eating ulcer, spread by mosquitoes and possums, has been detected in Melbourne’s northern suburbs.

Multiple cases of a flesh-eating ulcer have been detected in Melbourne’s northern suburbs, to the growing concern of the state’s health authorities.

The Buruli ulcer, which generally presents itself as a lesion on the affected area, has been found in Brunswick, Essendon, Pascoe Vale and Strathmore, the health authorities announced this week, the first time it has been detected in inner-city areas.

The advisory said the lesions generally present as a slowly developing, painless lump, which was often confused as a standard insect bite.

Health authorities are uncertain as to how the disease is spread, but evidence suggests it is transmitted through possums and mosquitoes.

Residents are warned that outdoor activities such as gardening are the most at-risk pursuits for contracting the ulcer.

Health authorities are warning that the ulcers can increase in severity over a matter of weeks, and result in painful, ulcerated lumps and can be accompanied by “severe pain” and a fever.

In its most severe forms, toxins can develop which destroy the skin.

So far five cases of the Buruli ulcer have been detected across the municipalities of Moreland and Moonee Valley.

Residents in the inner north are encouraged to wear gardening gloves, long trousers and shirts and wash any scratches they might receive in the course of activities such as gardening.