Mosquitoes believed to be behind flesh-eating ulcer, Melbourne researchers say

A MAJOR effort will be mounted to understand and stop a flesh-eating ulcer spreading across Victoria, with a study to focus on mosquitoes believed to be responsible for the horror disease.

A MAJOR effort will be mounted to understand and stop a flesh-eating ulcer spreading through Victoria.

A $3 million research ­project into Buruli ulcer led by the University of Melbourne will focus on the mosquitoes believed to spread the ­horror disease, the incidence of which has grown 400 per cent over the past four years.

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The Turnbull Government will on Thursday announce a $1.5 million medical research grant for the two-year study.

Additional funding will be provided by the state government, Mornington Peninsula Shire and Barwon Health.

Although the ulcer initially looks like a normal mosquito bite, it then develops into deep wounds as the flesh begins to be eaten away.

The disease has been found to occur in Far North Queensland as well as parts of coastal Victoria, including East Gippsland, Phillip Island, the Mornington Peninsula and the Bellarine Peninsula.

Led by the University’s Prof Tim Stinear, the Buruli ulcer research aims to identify a common source for the bacterium to enable a faster diagnoses and treatment, as well as prevention strategies such as mosquito reduction.