Flesh eater health alert
Mosquito warning as ulcer cases climb
THERE has been a large increase in cases of flesh-eating ulcers in the Geelong region, with health officials turning their focus to the mosquitoes suspected of carrying the infection.
Recent flooding is likely to see a surge in the insects, which are also linked to the spread of a number of other conditions.
Barwon South West public health unit director Eugene Athan warned instances of Buruli ulcer had climbed in recent months.
“We’re certainly on the alert for that,” he said.
He urged people with lesions to see their GP so they could get tested and begin treatment. He also said it was important to take preventive measures like covering up outdoors and cleaning scratches or wounds.
The condition, known as the Buruli or Bairnsdale ulcer and caused by mycobacterium ulcerans, can eat away skin and fat cells and cause gangrene and tissue loss.
Greater Geelong has recorded 36 cases of mycobacterium ulcerans so far this year, according to health department figures.
During the same period in 2021 – which went on to be the municipality’s worst year on record with 37 cases – it had notched up 31.
Research is under way into transmission of the infection, but it is thought that mosquitoes could be involved.
The areas where mosquitoes and possums are most commonly carrying the bacteria are also where people are most frequently contracting the ulcer, research shows.
Heavy rainfall or floods can lead to ideal breeding conditions for mosquitoes, according to the state government’s Better Health Channel resource.
Prof Athan said the public health unit was working with the state government to support community responses to the flood emergency.
“We are in a place to support the other public health units across Victoria … for example, monitoring things like vector-borne diseases, so things like Japanese encephalitis, or Ross River virus, and making sure that people take anti-mosquito precautions,” he said.
Prof Athan urged the community to use mosquito repellent and avoid leaving water sitting around in the garden.