If you love pottering around in the garden or enjoy spending time outdoors in Australia’s beautiful north, there’s a hidden danger you need to know about—and it’s not your usual snake or spider scare.
This year, a surge in cases of a rare but deadly disease has left health authorities and locals on high alert, with dozens of Australians tragically losing their lives.
Melioidosis is caused by Burkholderia pseudomallei, which lurks in soil and groundwater across northern Australia and Southeast Asia.
While it’s not a household name, it’s a disease that can change—or end—lives in a matter of days if not treated quickly.
In 2024 alone, North Queensland has seen 221 cases and 31 deaths, a spike that has left experts scrambling for answers.
A 54-year-old Townsville local, James Schmidt, knows firsthand how insidious this disease can be.
What started as a seemingly harmless abscess on his glute quickly spiralled into a life-threatening ordeal.
‘I developed the abscess in early February and it was first treated with antibiotics,’ he recalled from his hospital bed.
‘After being discharged, 24 hours later, the infectious diseases ward rang me asking me to report back to the hospital. Pathology had found melioidosis.’
Schmidt’s battle didn’t end there. He suffered a spinal fracture from a seizure brought on by the infection, and now faces a long, uncertain recovery.
His story is a sobering reminder that melioidosis is not just a statistic—it’s a real threat, especially for those who spend time in the garden or work outdoors.
Why is melioidosis on the rise?
The bacteria that cause melioidosis thrive in warm, humid environments—think North Queensland, the Top End of the Northern Territory, and the Kimberley region of Western Australia.
Heavy rainfall and flooding, which have been more frequent in recent years, help the bacteria spread and increase the risk of infection.
Scott Kirstenfeldt, another Townsville resident, has survived melioidosis not once, but twice. As a former groundskeeper and avid home gardener, he believes his exposure to soil and water put him at greater risk.
‘If you are immune compromised with illness, have a cut or abrasion, or breathe in the bacteria, it can infect your body in the area of initial infection and spread through the bloodstream if not treated quickly,’ he warned.
Who is most at risk?
While anyone can contract melioidosis, certain groups are more vulnerable:
- People with weakened immune systems (including those with diabetes, kidney disease, or chronic lung conditions)
- The elderly
- Those with open wounds or skin abrasions
- Outdoor workers and gardeners
Schmidt, a disability home carer and regularly maintains residential gardens, likely picked up the bacteria during his daily rounds.
One of the most dangerous aspects of melioidosis is its stealth. The disease can take up to four weeks to show symptoms, so you might not even realise you’ve been exposed.
When symptoms do appear, they can be severe and include:
- Fever and chills
- Headache
- Non-healing skin sores or abscesses
- Cough or chest pain
- Muscle or joint pain
- Seizures (in severe cases)
Kirstenfeldt described the experience as ‘the worst cold or flu you’ve suffered from, multiplied by five’. Even after leaving the hospital, recovery can take years.
The good news is, there are simple steps you can take to reduce your risk:
- Always wear gloves and sturdy footwear when gardening or working with soil, especially if you have cuts or abrasions.
- Wash your hands and any exposed skin thoroughly after outdoor activities.
- Cover any wounds with waterproof dressings.
- Avoid contact with muddy water, especially after heavy rain or flooding.
- If you develop a fever, skin sore, or feel unwell after gardening or outdoor work, see your doctor and mention your exposure to soil or water.
Melioidosis is still considered rare, but as Kirstenfeldt puts it, ‘People should be frightened—it is extremely dangerous and if not treated quickly will result in death from total organ failure.’
Early diagnosis and treatment with the right antibiotics can save lives, but only if people and their doctors know what to look for.
Have you or someone you know been affected by melioidosis, or do you have tips for staying safe while gardening? We’d love to hear your stories and advice. Share your experiences in the comments below—your insight could help save a life.
Also read: Stop throwing used tea bags: Gardeners swear by this genius trick
