The death toll of a soil-borne disease has climbed again with Townsville Hospital and Health Service reporting another patient has died after contracting melioidosis. They are the 26th person to die in Queensland from the tropical disease, this year.
Melioidosis is caused by bacteria that thrives in stagnant and dirty water, with cases surging after periods of heavy rain and flooding.
The ABC reports the death in Townsville was one of four locally contracted cases, with new cases also found in Cairns and Mackay.
Residents with conditions like diabetes, cancer, lung or kidney disease are being warned to be on the lookout for symptoms as they are the most at risk. They can include fever, coughing, breathing difficulties, headaches, joint pain, difficulty passing urine for men, and skin infections and sores that won’t heal.
