Flesh-eating Bairnsdale Ulcer cases soar on Mornington Peninsula
ALMOST half of all flesh-eating Bairnsdale Ulcer cases recorded in Victoria are occurring on the Mornington Peninsula, according to new figures.
Up to 41 cases of the ulcer have been recorded in the Mornington Peninsula so far this year — a massive chunk of the 91 cases statewide, according to the department of health.
The figure is also a huge increase on last year with only 14 cases recorded from January to November 2014.
Health experts are warning those with symptoms to seek medical assistance quickly or risk having to undergo plastic surgery from the vicious bacteria.
Peninsula Health head of infectious diseases Dr Peter Kelley told Leaderthe ulcer’s cause remained a mystery.
“The mode of transmission is not really known ... we’ve definitely seen an increase in the numbers of Bairnsdale ulcer cases,” Dr Kelley said.
He said it was also unknown why the peninsula was such a hotspot.
The latest numbers don’t include Frankston, where just seven cases have been recorded this year to date.
“We know it has been associated with stagnant water and coastal vegetation — there has been some suggestion that mosquitoes might be involved.”
The bacteria has also been traced in possum faeces near the homes of those with the ulcer, Dr Kelley said.
Sorrento’s Alex Greig was one of those diagnosed with the ulcer this year.
“I had one right on the upper arm — I think it might have come over from a trip over in the Kimberly where I scratched it on a bush,” Mr Greig said.
The ulcer stayed with him for more than six months.
After a strong dose of antibiotics followed up by manuka honey and seaweed wraps, Mr Greig began to recover.
“That did the trick and I’ve been jumping around ever since ... I got through it very well for a 90-year-old,” he said.
“It wasn’t painful but it was very obvious. The main thing is protection — that’s got to happen quickly — if you get a cut or scratch you've got to clean it and watch it.”
FAST FACTS
THE Bairnsdale Ulcer is related to the same bacteria family as leprosy and tuberculosis but is not contagious.
THE cause is unknown but the bacteria has been found in mosquitoes, animals such as possums and plants.
INFECTION can be avoided by wearing protective clothing and mosquito repellent when gardening.
RISK to public is very low, even in areas where the ulcer is endemic.