Several more cases of a deadly disease caused by bacteria in soil emerge as health authorities urge residents to wear gloves and shoes during massive flood clean-up
- A woman has died and 12 others are in hospital due to soil based disease spread
- 13 Townsville residents contracted melioidosis in wake of Townsville floods
- One woman has already died and residents are being warned of the risks
- Residents advised to wear gloves and shoes during clean up
Three more people have been admitted to hospital with melioidosis after 10 people contracted the disease last week with one of them dying just days later.
One person is dead and several others are now in hospital with melioidosis contracted through contaminated soil and water in the wake of the Townsville floods.
The Townsville Hospital and Health Service confirmed on Monday that three more people contracted melioidosis after the death of a woman in her 50s, two more in Townsville and one in Mt Isa.
With the recent hospital admissions the total of people who have contracted melioidosis has risen to 13 after 10 cases were confirmed last week.
The woman who died was one of the initial 10 reported cases of the diseases.
One woman is dead and several other people are now in hospital with melioidosis contracted through contaminated soil and water in the wake of the Townsville floods
Townsville Public Health Unit acting director Dr Julie Mudd (pictured) confirmed that death of the Townsville resident and hospital admissions of three others
Townsville Public Health Unit acting director Dr Julie Mudd confirmed that death of the Townsville resident.
'Sadly, there has been one death from melioidosis during this flooding event which has been widely reported. There have been no further deaths,' she told the Townsville Bulletin.
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Dr Mudd said people at increased risk of contracting melioidosis were the already unwell, elderly or people with existing chronic conditions.
'We are asking the community to check on their neighbours; it is important,' she said.
Dr Muss advised all residents to wear gloves and closed in shoes during clean up operations in Townsville to avoid contracting the disease
Townsville residents are being advised to wear gloves and closed in shoes during the massive clean up ahead
'Check in on the elderly, sick or disabled and if they are unwell or have a fever call a doctor or an ambulance.'
Dr Muss advised all residents to wear gloves and closed in shoes during clean up operations in Townsville to avoid contracting the disease.
'For those people who are more susceptible to these illnesses, we've consistently asked them to leave the clean-up to people who are fit and healthy,' she said.
Dr Mudd said as the soil dried out the risk of contracting this illness would go back to its usual level, which is very low.
Dr Mudd said as the soil dried out the risk of contracting this illness would go back to its usual level, which is very low
'However, we are asking people to still take precautions when cleaning up,' she said.
Melioidosis is an infectious disease caused by a bacterium that primarily attacks the lungs with an overall mortality rate of 40 per cent.
The incubation period for people who have contracted melioidosis can be weeks so THHS are expecting more people to be coming in with symptoms.
Fact sheets and educational videos about melioidosis can be found on the Townsville HHS’s Facebook page.
Dr Mudd said as the soil dried out the risk of contracting this illness would go back to its usual level, which is very low
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