Top End residents and visitors are being urged to protect themselves from the potentially life-threatening, soil-borne disease melioidosis.
Melioidosis is an environmental bacterium and a common cause of serious pneumonia and blood poisoning in the Top End," said Department of Health and Families Centre for Disease Control Director, Dr Vicki Krause.
"The bacteria live below the soil's surface during the dry season but after heavy rain can be found in surface water and mud and may become airborne.
"Cases tend to follow the rains and an increase in cases has been seen in past years following cyclones, heavy rains and floods," Dr Krause said.
"The bacteria that cause melioidosis usually enter the body through cuts and sores in the skin, but acquiring the bacteria via inhalation of dust or droplets or ingestion of contaminated water is also possible.
"The incubation period for acute disease can range from 1 to 21 days.
"Cleaning up after flooding can lead to more people being exposed to the bacteria through walking in muddy water and handling water or mud-soaked items. Cleaning activities such as using high-pressure hoses can cause the bacteria to become airborne," Dr Krause said.
People most at risk are those with conditions such as diabetes, kidney disease, lung disease and cancer, as well as those on steroid therapy or who consume high levels of alcohol. Healthy people can get the disease if they are working in muddy soil without good hand and foot protection.
Melioidosis can be prevented by wearing waterproof shoes or boots when cleaning up in the case of flood waters and also by wearing gloves when handling soil or mud-soaked items. A mask or covering over the nose and mouth may offer some protection when using high-pressure hoses.
"Some people become extremely ill within a few days of becoming infected, with fevers, headache, confusion or breathing difficulties. In some cases the onset is slower with weight loss, intermittent fevers, skin ulcers, boils, or chest and abdominal pain," Dr Krause added.
If you are concerned about melioidosis, contact your GP or hospital.
Further information on melioidosis can be obtained online:
www.health.nt.gov.au/Centre_for_Disease_Control/Publications/CDC_Factsheets
Release date: 11 December 2009
