Health authorities have issued a fresh alert for a flesh-eating ulcer in Victoria, with one doctor warning soaring mosquito numbers could play into the number of infections increasing.
Dr Brad McKay, a leading GP, told Weekend Today both possums and the blood sucking insects carry the bacterium that causes the Buruli ulcer.
“We have seen a link between this particular bacteria being in ring- tail possums, also seen in mosquitoes,” he said, explaining authorities are particularly worried about an increase in cases detected throughout Geelong.
When the bacterium gets under the skin, it secretes a toxin that that kills the skin, McKay warned.
“People just see it as being a bit of a mosquito bite that doesn’t heal, often the red patch just gets slightly bigger over time,” he said.
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“Often it’s painless and then the breaks down into an ulcer, crusts over and keeps on growing.
“You have to be really vigilant about it because if you don’t see your doctor then – and don’t do anything about it – if you’re not put on antibiotics and not having a proper diagnosis it can eat away at your flesh and create big holes that need massive dressings or even plastic surgery.”
People are being urged to cover their body while working outside, reduce areas where water can pool and wash and cover scratches received while working outside.
“We need to be aware of it and with more mosquitoes around with the wet weather, this is going to be a major problem,” McKay said.
