There have been two more deaths in Cairns from the soil borne disease Melioidosis. The tropical disease is associated with the recent flooding and heavy rainfall in the region.
Category
📺
TVTranscript
00:00It brings the total number of deaths to four, with 41 cases since January.
00:08For comparison, the Director of Local Public Health Service says there's only usually
00:13nine cases by this time of year, with health officials calling the spike unprecedented.
00:19Cairns Hospital has not provided the locations, ages, genders or details of how the individuals
00:24contracted the disease.
00:27Doctors are still investigating the sudden spike, but say it's mostly being found in Cairns South.
00:33The disease is picked up through contact with contaminated soil, through skin abrasions
00:37or breathing it in.
00:39Melioidosis is rare and mostly affects people with pre-existing conditions or compromised
00:44immune system, like cancer or diabetes patients.
00:48Symptoms are similar to that of the common flu, so fever, cough and difficulty breathing.
00:55Doctors are urging anyone with pre-existing conditions that are displaying those symptoms
00:59to seek urgent medical attention.