Soil bacteria outbreak in Australia: 14 die of rare antibiotic-resistant Melioidosis in Queensland
1 month ago

Soil bacteria outbreak in Australia: 14 die of rare antibiotic-resistant Melioidosis in Queensland

Firstpost  

Queensland, in northeastern Australia, experienced heavy flooding after storms dumped more than 1.5 metres of rain in parts of the state this month, engulfing homes, businesses and roads Australia’s Queensland has been reeling under an outbreak triggered by a soil-dwelling bacteria that has killed 14 people till now. The victims died of Melioidosis, a rare antibiotic-resistant disease which is caused by bacteria found in soil or mud after a region witnesses heavy rainfall or flooding. While cases have occurred in Queensland in previous years, the state’s Tropical Public Health Services director Jacqueline Murdoch said 2025 “absolutely is a record-breaking year”. Queensland, in northeastern Australia, experienced heavy flooding after storms dumped more than 1.5 metres of rain in parts of the state this month, engulfing homes, businesses and roads.

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History of this topic

Melioidosis death toll rises again in North Queensland
3 weeks, 6 days ago

Melioidosis death toll rises again in North Queensland

ABC  

The rare but dangerous soil-borne disease melioidosis has claimed another life in North Queensland and several other patients remain in intensive care. Townsville Public Health Unit director Steven Donohue said about a dozen patients were still in hospital, some of whom were in the intensive care unit. "It is almost expected that a good proportion of these elderly and sick …

Death toll from tropical disease in Australia rises to 12
1 month ago

Death toll from tropical disease in Australia rises to 12

China Daily  

Xinhua | Updated: 2025-02-26 09:49 SYDNEY -- The number of deaths from a disease linked to heavy rainfall and flooding in northeast of Australia's state of Queensland has more than doubled to 12, local health authorities said. Health authorities in the tropical north coast region of Queensland confirmed on Tuesday that the death toll from melioidosis in the current wet …

Death toll from tropical disease in Australia rises to 12
1 month ago

Death toll from tropical disease in Australia rises to 12

China Daily  

Xinhua | Updated: 2025-02-26 09:49 SYDNEY -- The number of deaths from a disease linked to heavy rainfall and flooding in northeast of Australia's state of Queensland has more than doubled to 12, local health authorities said. Health authorities in the tropical north coast region of Queensland confirmed on Tuesday that the death toll from melioidosis in the current wet …

Five more deaths from soil-borne disease melioidosis in Queensland's north
1 month ago

Five more deaths from soil-borne disease melioidosis in Queensland's north

ABC  

The Cairns and Hinterland Health Service has confirmed that five more people have died from melioidosis, bringing the region's death toll to nine. Tropical Public Health Services director Jacqueline Murdoch said the region had recorded 53 cases since the start of the year. 'Very severe disease' Dr Murdoch said most of the cases came from the southern corridor of Cairns, …

What to know about the soil-borne melioidosis disease that's claimed seven lives in Queensland
1 month ago

What to know about the soil-borne melioidosis disease that's claimed seven lives in Queensland

ABC  

Health authorities are on alert after the recent deaths of seven people from soil-borne disease melioidosis in North Queensland. The Townsville Public Health Unit said two elderly people had died from the soil-borne disease on Thursday and one more death occurred "in the past week". Townsville Public Health Unit director Steven Donohue told ABC News Tropical North that there is …

Far north Queensland reports two deaths, 28 cases of bacterial disease melioidosis in 2025
1 month, 2 weeks ago

Far north Queensland reports two deaths, 28 cases of bacterial disease melioidosis in 2025

ABC  

Cases of a deadly soil-borne bacterial disease have exploded in Queensland’s far north, including two people who have died since the start of the wet season. "It's a very big number of cases for the Cairns and Hinterland region, and we've only just started seeing the effects from the rain," Tropical Public Health Services director Jacqui Murdoch said. "Those people …

Disease warning for north Queenslanders in floodwaters as clean-up begins
1 year, 3 months ago

Disease warning for north Queenslanders in floodwaters as clean-up begins

ABC  

Health authorities in north Queensland are concerned three diseases could present significant risks to residents and relief workers as they attempt to clean up after the record flooding in the state's north. "People get melioidosis either by being immersed in floodwater, swallowing the water, or breathing in an aerosol of a spray from flood water or mud," Dr Gair said. …

Potentially fatal soil-borne melioidosis infections on the rise in Far North Queensland
4 years ago

Potentially fatal soil-borne melioidosis infections on the rise in Far North Queensland

ABC  

Health authorities in far north Queensland say two people have died and four have required intensive care treatment after contracting the soil-borne disease melioidosis this year. Key points: 17 people have been admitted to hospital after contracting melioidosis in Queensland's far north this year Two people have died and four required treatment in intensive care Gardeners and people enjoying the …

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