Four Melburnians contracting horrifying flesh-eating ulcer each week

A terrifying flesh-eating disease is being contracted by more than four people in Melbourne each week as the number of cases continues to grow in the city’s bayside suburbs.

Four Melburnians a week are contracting the horrifying flesh-eating Buruli ulcer.

The mystery skin condition has already infected 116 people this year, according to new data, with 14 cases reported last week alone.

Scientists continue to study the debilitating flesh-eating ulcer to identify treatenment for the deep and weeping ulcers and how to stop it from spreading.

cases this year include 28 people in the Mornington Peninsula, 11 in Geelong, eight in Frankston and six in the Bayside area.

A Buruli ulcer on the leg of Shania Gana, who contracted the flesh-eating bug on the Mornington Peninsula. Picture: David Geraghty

Worringly, Professor Tim Stinear from the Doherty Institute at the University of Melbourne warned the disease was on the move.

“We have had sporadic cases in Beaumaris, Blackrock and Seaford,” he said.

“One of the worrying things is we have seen that progression around the bay toward Melbourne.

“It is a very large number especially compared to a decade ago. The impacts on people is significant and there is a stigma attached to it.”

Children are among the victims of the flesh-eating ulcer, as well as the elderly and holiday-makers visiting the bay.

Jack Weekes' Buruli ulcer battle included surgery.

Last year, a one-year-old baby and his mother were among those infected with more than 900 cases reported in total over the past four years.

Department of Health and Human Services spokesman Tim Vainoras urged anyone with symptoms to seek medical help immediately.

“Infection with this bacterium is not fatal, but left untreated it can be very debilitating,” he said.

“If you are concerned about your health — particularly if you have sores on your body that aren’t going away — don’t be alarmed, but contact your GP or health professional.

“With early intervention Buruli ulcer can be treated successfully and effectively.”

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High risk areas include Rye and Sorrento.

The state has put up $3 million to help Victorian researchers better understand the condition, which appears to be linked to mosquitoes and possums.

Although, horrifying, the number of cases is slightly less than the same time last year where there appeared to be a mass breakout in and around Mornington Peninsula.

The first sign is a spot similar to mosquito bite that grows bigger over days or weeks before becoming a scab.

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