More needs to be done to combat mud disease as death toll rises
Melioidosis death toll
The soil-borne disease melioidosis has claimed another two lives in Queensland, bringing the state's death toll to 28 and leading experts to say more needs to be done to combat future outbreaks.
Queensland Health data showed two melioidosis deaths in the Townsville health service region in the past fortnight while a new case of the infection was reported in the Cairns region, bringing the cases recorded to 212.
An infectious diseases expert said the latest deaths were a sign that more needed to be done to prevent future outbreaks.
Melioidosis is a tropical disease caused by bacteria found in water or soil that can enter the body through cuts or inhalation. There is no vaccine for melioidosis.
Professor Paul Griffin, an infectious disease expert at the University of Queensland, said he was pleased case numbers were declining following the wet season.
"But, obviously, it's terrible news that we're still seeing deaths arising from this infection," he told the ABC.
"It's not surprising because it does take some time to see the deaths occur as a result of infections.’’
Professor Griffin said the end of the rains would not necessarily halt the deadly outbreak.
"Even though case numbers will probably continue to slow down, we will probably see some deaths arise down the track," he said.
"It's certainly not the time to get complacent, and to make sure that we continue to monitor it closely."
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