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WHO classifies Buruli ulcer as a neglected tropical skin disease. While most cases have been reported in 33 countries in West and Central Africa, the disease has attracted attention in Australia. The ulcer may crust over and form a scab and not heal…read more
Possums are the main reservoir of ulcer-causing bacteria, while mosquitoes act as transmitters to humans. (symbolic photo)
Buruli ulcer, a flesh-eating bacteria, is spreading in Australia, with cases being reported in Victoria, northern Queensland and the Northern Territory. Its recent appearance in New South Wales (NSW) and Batemans Bay has become a cause for concern for Australians and researchers.
Researchers are puzzled by the occurrence of Buruli ulcer in humans living in areas hundreds of kilometers apart.
Analysis shows the ulcer has become endemic in the NSW town of Batemans Bay, 110 km from Canberra. Two known cases were reported in the coastal city in 2021 and 2023.
What is Buruli ulcer?
Buruli ulcer is a long-term debilitating disease that affects the skin and sometimes the bones. It was first described by Sir Albert Cook in Uganda in 1897. It is a bacterial infection caused by Mycobacterium ulcerans.
Buruli ulcer has been known to occur in Australia since the 1940s, with cases also seen in the Northern Territory and far-north Queensland.
Possums are considered to be the main reservoir of ulcer-causing bacteria, while mosquitoes act as an important transmitter to humans.
“The detection of positive possum excrement samples from Batemans Bay establishes without a doubt that the bacteria is present in local possums,” the group of Australian researchers said in the peer-reviewed journal PLoS Neglected Tropical Diseases. Guardian,
The bacteria found in Batemans Bay were different from those present in the most endemic areas of Victoria, including Melbourne, Geelong and surrounds.
The wound that initially appears as an insect bite usually takes several weeks and months to ulcerate. It grows throughout the body, eventually breaking the skin and forming ulcers.
If not treated, the ulcer continues to grow and leave a wound, which is why it is often referred to as a “flesh-eating” disease.
How does it affect your health?
Buruli ulcer has immunosuppressive properties and is toxic to the skin. Ulcers can develop into different strains with different transmission patterns. With antibiotic treatment, this can lead to lifelong illnesses, including skin discoloration, functional disability, bone infections, and more bacterial infections in your skin.
The World Health Organization (WHO) classifies Buruli ulcer as a neglected tropical skin disease. While most cases have been reported in 33 countries in West and Central Africa, the disease has attracted attention in Australia.
what are the symptoms?
Ulcers may crust and form scabs and do not heal as they grow. The scab will disintegrate into ulcers, after which, the ulcer continues to grow with or without infection.
If the skin is infected, the person may experience fever, swelling and raised lumps, thick flat areas on the skin, and local pain.
Is Buruli ulcer curable?
Yes, ulcers require a six to eight week antibiotic course, which can effectively deal with the infection. Treatment may be combined with surgery to remove the affected tissue.
A person may need early diagnosis and an aggressive treatment plan to minimize tissue loss. It will also help speed up the healing time of your ulcer.
Experts recommend using insect repellents containing DEET, wearing protective clothing outside, and practicing proper hygiene by washing scratches and cuts. Additionally, people should make their homes mosquito-proof with insect screens and avoid mosquito-prone areas, especially during the morning and evening.
How many cases are there in Australia?
according to Australian Associated Press (AAP), Researchers are particularly concerned about the recent surge in Victoria, where one case is reported almost every day. The coastal state alone has confirmed 347 cases in 2024.
However, researchers are surprised by the discovery of cases in Batemans Bay. “We were surprised to find Buruli ulcer in Batemans Bay, as no cases had previously been reported in the region,” lead researcher Mehrab Hussain said in the peer-reviewed journal PLOS Neglected Tropical Diseases. AAP,
Sydney Morning Herald Two cases were reported from the coastal city: in 2023, that of a 94-year-old man who developed an ulcer on his finger, leading to amputation. Another 71-year-old man developed an ulcer on his arm.
Co-author Professor Paul Johnson, a Buruli ulcer specialist at Austin Health and the University of Melbourne, said there was a significant risk of an outbreak in Sydney, according to a report. Sydney Morning Herald,