Flesh-Eating Buruli Ulcer Bacteria Expands Across Australian Regions

The bacterial infection, linked to possums and mosquitoes, is spreading beyond traditional hotspots in Victoria and raising concerns in New South Wales.

• Buruli ulcer cases in Victoria have reached 344 in 2024, with infections spreading beyond coastal areas to suburban Melbourne and new regions like Ascot Vale.
• The disease, caused by Mycobacterium ulcerans, leads to painless skin ulcers that can cause severe tissue damage if untreated, but it is not transmissible between humans.
• Health experts believe possums and mosquitoes play a key role in transmitting the bacteria, with possum excrement identified as a source of the pathogen.
• Preventive measures include using insect repellents, wearing protective clothing, and avoiding mosquito-prone areas, especially during warmer months when infection risk is higher.
• Batemans Bay in New South Wales has been flagged as a potential new hotspot, with researchers warning of possible further geographic spread in the state.

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