Nym
Free Ranging
Thursday 10th of April 8.15a.m. Heavy dew, early haze clearing. 1.1 / 3.4kph NNW (the hot zone), Hg 60%, 21.1C / 70F headed for 25C / 77F. Partly cloudy.
Moon is 94%
Another person has died with melioidosis in Townsville after the city recorded its wettest year on record. (ABC North Qld: Georgia Loney)
The soil-borne disease melioidosis has claimed the life of another Queensland patient.
The Townsville Hospital and Health Service patient is the 26th person to die with melioidosis in Queensland this year.
The death was recorded in the latest melioidosis data released by Queensland Health.
The government health department recorded 10 new cases in the last seven days.
The death in Townsville was one of four new local cases.
In the Cairns health service region, four cases were recorded.
One case was detected in the Mackay health service area and another in Queensland's north west region.
Melioidosis is a tropical disease caused by a bacteria found in water or soil.
Cases often surge during the wet season after heavy rain or flooding.
Robert Norton, a microbiologist who recently retired from Townsville Hosptial and Health Service, said it had been an extraordinary wet season.
"I'm not surprised there have been a lot of cases and sadly deaths as well," Dr Norton said.
Even though widespread heavy rain had eased in Townsville, Robert Norton said cases would continue locally for weeks.
"The soil will be sodden, there will be a lot of groundwater for a long time," he said.
"Cases I believe will continue because the organism rises to the surface."
Dr Norton said the infection had a 15 per cent mortality rate in Australia so more cases of melioidosis meant more deaths.
Queensland Health said people with long-term conditions like diabetes, cancer, lung or kidney disease were more at risk of becoming sick with melioidosis.
Treatment involves strong antibiotics, and patients who become very sick are often hospitalised in intensive care.
The bacteria can enter the body through skin cuts and sores as well as inhalation or by drinking contaminated water.
There is no vaccine to prevent melioidosis but avoiding contact with soil or muddy water is encouraged.
ABC
Moon is 94%
Queensland melioidosis death toll climbs after floods spread soil-borne bacteria
19 hours ago
Another person has died with melioidosis in Townsville after the city recorded its wettest year on record. (ABC North Qld: Georgia Loney)
The soil-borne disease melioidosis has claimed the life of another Queensland patient.
The Townsville Hospital and Health Service patient is the 26th person to die with melioidosis in Queensland this year.
The death was recorded in the latest melioidosis data released by Queensland Health.
The government health department recorded 10 new cases in the last seven days.
The death in Townsville was one of four new local cases.
In the Cairns health service region, four cases were recorded.
One case was detected in the Mackay health service area and another in Queensland's north west region.
Melioidosis is a tropical disease caused by a bacteria found in water or soil.
Cases often surge during the wet season after heavy rain or flooding.
More cases expected
Townsville recorded its wettest year on record on Saturday with more than 2,419.8 millimetres falling so far in 2025.Robert Norton, a microbiologist who recently retired from Townsville Hosptial and Health Service, said it had been an extraordinary wet season.
"I'm not surprised there have been a lot of cases and sadly deaths as well," Dr Norton said.
Even though widespread heavy rain had eased in Townsville, Robert Norton said cases would continue locally for weeks.
"The soil will be sodden, there will be a lot of groundwater for a long time," he said.
"Cases I believe will continue because the organism rises to the surface."
Dr Norton said the infection had a 15 per cent mortality rate in Australia so more cases of melioidosis meant more deaths.
Queensland Health said people with long-term conditions like diabetes, cancer, lung or kidney disease were more at risk of becoming sick with melioidosis.
Treatment involves strong antibiotics, and patients who become very sick are often hospitalised in intensive care.
The bacteria can enter the body through skin cuts and sores as well as inhalation or by drinking contaminated water.
There is no vaccine to prevent melioidosis but avoiding contact with soil or muddy water is encouraged.
ABC
