Concerning spread of flesh-eating bacterial infection in Victoria

The number of Victorians diagnosed with a flesh-eating bacterial skin infection has risen as health authorities warn cases have spread beyond previously known hotspots.

Health chief Clare Looker on Tuesday warned that cases of Buruli ulcer in the state were increasing, with 238 identified by October 2 this year compared to 207 at the same time last year.

There were even fewer cases reported in previous years, with 197 in 2021 and 135 in 2020.

Dr Looker, in a health alert, warned the infection was spreading across Victoria and was no longer confined to specific areas on the state’s coast.

Instead, there has been a recent increase in cases linked to multiple suburbs in Geelong including Belmont, Highton, Newtown, Wandana Heights, Grovedale and Marshall.

Buruli ulcer cases are on the rise across Victoria

Chief Health Officer Clare Looker warned the infection was spreading across Victoria and was no longer confined to specific areas on the state’s coast.

There has also been a recent increase in cases linked to Melbourne’s north and inner west, including in the suburbs of Essendon, Moonee Ponds, Brunswick West, Pascoe Vale South and Strathmore, Dr Looker said.

Cases of Buruli ulcer have also been reported in the Mornington Peninsula, Bellarine Peninsula, Phillip Island, Surf Coast and Aireys Inlet, as well as in the Westernport region, the Frankston and Langwarrin regions, the South East Bayside suburbs and in East Gippsland.

Buruli ulcer was not transmitted from person to person, but there was growing evidence that mosquitoes and possums played a role in infecting people in Victoria, Dr Looker said.

The bacteria that cause the ulcer was found in the possum’s droppings, she said.

People with Buruli ulcers usually first develop a painless lump or sore, which can be mistaken for an insect bite.

The bumps or sores can slowly develop into a devastating skin ulcer, and it usually took four to five months for an ulcer to develop after someone was infected, Dr Looker said.

The health chief warned that early diagnosis was essential and said people could prevent infection by avoiding mosquito bites, protecting their homes against mosquitoes and reducing mosquito breeding sites.

They should also cover up when spending time outside, protect cuts and scrapes, quickly wash and dress any fresh scrapes or cuts, and wash their skin after it’s been exposed to dirt or water outside.

Dr Looker urged doctors to quickly test patients for Buruli ulcers if they were in a hot spot and had a non-healing ulcer.

Buruli ulcer is not transmitted from person to person, but there has been growing evidence that mosquitoes and possums play a role in infecting humans