Bairnsdale Ulcer: warning for Geelong residents to cover up while gardening

Doctors are warning green thumbs to cover up to avoid contracting a flesh-eating ulcer, as people tend to their gardens more due to COVID-19 restrictions.

Doctors are warning green thumbs to cover up to avoid contracting a flesh-eating ulcer, as people tend to their gardens more due to COVID-19 restrictions.

The Buruli ulcer can eat away skin and fat cells, and can cause gangrene and tissue loss.

While the infection — also known as the Bairnsdale ulcer — ­remains shrouded in mystery, the bacteria that causes the ulcer has been found in both mosquitoes and possum ­droppings.

Barwon Health Infectious Diseases deputy director Associate Professor Dan O’Brien said with the current COVID-19 social distancing and isolation requirements, people are spending more time in their gardens.
“We strongly encourage people to continue to protect themselves from the Buruli ulcer by wearing long sleeved shirts, long pants, covered shoes and gloves while gardening,” A/Prof O’Brien said.

“It is also important to avoid insect bites as much as possible, treating any injuries with antiseptics and dressings, and covering any wounds if present to avoid their exposure to the soil.”

According to Department of Health and Human Services data, no new cases have been recorded in the Greater Geelong, Surf Coast or Queenscliffe local government areas so far this year.

Bairnsdale ulcers can strike young and old. Picture: Alison Wynd

There have been about 20 cases of mycobacterium ulcerans – which causes the Buruli ulcer – recorded in Victoria so far this year.

“As the disease is seasonal with a long incubation period, we usually expect a low number of cases at this time of year, with a peak in Victorian cases from June to November,” Prof O’Brien said.

Statewide there were 299 cases of mycobacterium ulcerans recorded in 2019.

Of those, 21 were recorded in Greater Geelong residents, three on the Surf Coast and two in the Borough of Queenscliffe.

Last year it was revealed the disease, commonly found on the Bellarine Peninsula, had been identified in Belmont.

“It appears the disease remains present in the Geelong suburb of Belmont,” Prof O’Brien said. “We are yet to find evidence it has spread to other suburbs in Geelong, but we need to remain vigilant.”

“If anyone living in Geelong, the Surf Coast or the Bellarine Peninsula has a suspicious lesion on their body, we recommend they seek treatment as soon as possible to be assessed for Buruli ulcer.”

Originally published as Bairnsdale Ulcer: warning for Geelong residents to cover up while gardening