Victoria has experienced a rise in cases of Buruli ulcer, a flesh-eating bacterial infection, prompting the state’s chief health officer, Prof Ben Cowie, to issue a warning about the increasing spread of the disease through suburban Melbourne.
Buruli ulcer, which has been present in Australia since the 1940s, is found in areas from Victoria to the Northern Territory and far-north Queensland. On Friday, Prof Cowie highlighted a recent surge in cases linked to Ascot Vale, a suburb in northern Melbourne. He noted that the disease is no longer confined to coastal regions, with cases now spreading across Victoria.
As of December 17, 344 cases have been reported in 2024, slightly fewer than the 362 cases recorded at the same time in 2023, but still higher than in previous years (338 cases in 2022, 286 in 2021, and 217 in 2020).
Health officials explained that those infected typically develop a painless lump or wound that may initially resemble an insect bite. Over time, the lesion can evolve into a severe ulcer that damages the skin. While anyone can contract the infection, the highest number of notifications are among individuals over 60 years old.
Prof Cowie emphasized the importance of prompt treatment to reduce skin loss and avoid more intensive procedures. He also noted that the incubation period for Buruli ulcer can range from four weeks to nine months, with lesions commonly appearing on exposed areas of the limbs.
To protect against the disease, Cowie advised people to use insect repellents, wear light, loose, and light-colored clothing, and avoid areas where mosquitoes are prevalent or being outdoors during peak biting times.
Recent research has also identified Buruli ulcer as endemic in Batemans Bay, New South Wales, where two cases were reported in 2021 and 2023. Scientists have studied possum feces from the area, as possums are known to develop ulcers from the infection. Research suggests mosquitoes play a role in transmitting the bacteria from animals to humans.
