QUEENSLANDERS across the state are being asked to be vigilant as they start the clean up after heavy rain and flooding with a deadly soil born bacteria potentially lurking across south-east Queensland.
University of the Sunshine Coast microbiologist Associate Professor Dr Erin Price stated that Melioidosis is a potentially serious infectious disease caused by the bacterium Burkholderia pseudomallei, which lives in the soil and groundwater and rises to the surface during heavy rain.
It can cause non-healing skin abscesses and sores and, if not treated quickly, can lead to life-threatening pneumonia or septicaemia in half of all infections.
Over 100 melioidosis cases, including 16 deaths, have been recorded since the start of the year in north Queensland.
“Although far less common across southeast Queensland, the pathogen is endemic here, so people need to be aware of the risk it potentially poses to them, especially during post-cyclone clean-up efforts,” Dr Price said.
Exposure to the pathogen that leads to infection usually occurs via contaminated soil through skin cuts in the feet, hands and calves.
“People can also be infected by inhaling dust and droplets when windows and doors are left open during squally weather, or when using high-pressure hoses to clean dirt from driveways, cars, equipment, or homes.”
Dr Price said most people who come into contact with the bacteria will not get sick, and there was an extremely low risk of person-to-person or animal-to-person transmission.
“Accurate melioidosis diagnosis is important because only a handful of antibiotics are effective against the pathogen, and it can cause death in up to 40 per cent of cases if left untreated.”
Symptoms include cough, lethargy, nausea or vomiting, non-healing skin sores or ulcers, loss of appetite, fever, sharp stabbing chest pain, breathing problems, rapid and shallow breathing, light sensitivity, pain or discomfort, feeling cold, high heart rate, or low blood pressure.
“Melioidosis presents in myriad ways, and mimics many other diseases, so diagnosis cannot be made based on symptoms alone and it can also take up to 21 days from infection for symptoms to present.”
Reducing exposure risk is key in avoiding an infection.
“People should wear closed-toed and waterproof shoes, and rubber or nitrile gloves when cleaning or gardening, and wash their skin thoroughly with soap and water after any exposure to water, mud, or soil.
“Also wear a respirator when cleaning, ideally an N95, to avoid inhaling dust and water particles that might be harbouring the bacterium, especially when using high-pressure hoses.”