The soil-borne disease melioidosis has claimed another two lives in Queensland, bringing the state’s death toll to 28.
Queensland Health data showed two melioidosis deaths in the Townsville health service region in the past week.
One new case of the infection has been reported in the Cairns region, bringing the cases recorded to 212.
An infectious diseases expert said the latest deaths were a sign that more needed to be done to prevent future outbreaks.
Cases slow as death toll rises
Melioidosis is a tropical disease caused by bacteria found in water or soil that can enter the body through cuts or inhalation.
Cases have surged in northern Australia, following record floods and wet weather, particularly in Townsville, which has recorded its wettest year on record.
Professor Paul Griffin, an infectious disease expert at the University of Queensland, said he was pleased case numbers were declining following the wet season.
“But, obviously, it’s terrible news that we’re still seeing deaths arising from this infection,” he said.
“It’s not surprising because it does take some time to see the deaths occur as a result of infections.
Professor Griffin said the deadly outbreak was not over, despite the end of the rains.
“Even though case numbers will probably continue to slow down, we will probably see some deaths arise down the track,” he said.
“It’s certainly not the time to get complacent, and to make sure that we continue to monitor it closely.”
More than 200 cases
Professor Griffin said more needed to be done to combat future outbreaks, including increased education about the fatal disease.
“It is a very significant situation that we’ve seen and perhaps a sign that we need to do more to monitor and address this sort of infection, particularly if we were to see similar weather events in the future,” he said.
“These weather events will continue. We need to make sure that we are on the front foot, so we can hopefully prevent some of these infections.”
There is no vaccine yet available for melioidosis.
