Centre for Disease Control Director Dr Vicki Krause says the NT has recorded six melioidosis cases in the last week and she’s warning people to protect themselves from the potentially fatal soil-borne disease

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Episode Transcript

Speaker 1 (00:00):
We know that there's been five cases of meliadosis detected
in the Northern Territory in the last week, with territorians
being told to be on alert for the potentially fatal disease.
Now joining me on the line to talk more about
this is nt Health Center for Disease Controlled Director doctor
Vicki Krass.

Speaker 2 (00:19):
Good morning to you, Good morning.

Speaker 1 (00:22):
Thanks so much for your time this morning. Vicki tell us,
obviously five cases in the last week, it does sound
like quite a lot in one week.

Speaker 2 (00:33):
Well, actually I have to report that there are six cases.
So this is what happens when the rain start, and
we do know that we have started into the month soon,
and so there have been six cases in the past week,
and that brings up the total stilts to below the
usual for this time of year twenty nine cases. But
people will maybe realize we didn't have much train in

(00:55):
January and our usual months for rain or January February
for some of the highest rainfalls. So but now the
rain has started and certainly we want to make sure
that you know, residents and visitors to the top end
are well aware of meloosis and the precautions to take.

Speaker 1 (01:14):
So ki in terms of the seeks throughout the wag
So that number going up slightly, going up by one
extra case. How have that like, how is it been contracted?

Speaker 2 (01:26):
Well, again, we live in an environment that has the
bacteria that causes melodosis in the soil and so we
really can't get away with it. We have to from it.
We have to learn how to live with it and
protect ourselves. This bacteria lives in the soil all across
the top end and it comes to the surface after

(01:48):
drenching rains, so that's when we have it's most concentrated
on the soil surface and the water surface, and so
it is the wet season that is a time period
when we have the opportunity to come in contact with
the bacteria. So that's that's basically it. The reds have
started and also have our cases and this is seen

(02:10):
you know, on a yearly basis, and we're hearing about
it in far North Queensland and can where they've had
an extraordinary number of cases, the most ever they've had
like four times for normal number and that.

Speaker 1 (02:26):
Is from all that Ryan that that they've seen obviously.

Speaker 2 (02:30):
Yeah, no, that's right, Yeah.

Speaker 1 (02:32):
Doctor Krastello's what do people need to do to make
sure that they do protect themselves against meliadiosis.

Speaker 2 (02:39):
Well, again, the main way that the bacteria gains entrance
into the body is through cuts and swords, so keeping
your skin healthy and without cuts is really important. So
to do that, you need to protect your feet male
in your hands, so that if you are out side

(03:00):
and outside gardening or working, your feet need to be
protected with waterproof footwear or at least shoes so that
you first of all protect your skin and also give
you some distance from the mud and surface water. And
the same with your hands that if you're outside working
in the garden or with your at your workplace, you

(03:24):
do need to protect your hands and be wearing wearing gloves.
Other things are we see a cordation with high pressure hosing,
and so while we're talking about keeping your skin intact,
another way that you can acquire the bacteria is with
it being aerosolized on windy and stormy days and so

(03:45):
or any other situations such as high pressure hosing which
would aerosolize the bacteria. So if you are high pressure hosing,
we recommend that you wear a face mask that will
cover your your nose and mouth for that protection. We
also recommend that people don't go out very windy and

(04:06):
stormy time periods in the top end because this is
a time when the bacteria can be aerosolides. And we
also know that there are specific groups that are more
at risk of acquiring the bacteria, and one that none
of us can escape is aging, so the aging population
are more at risk. People we usually say over sixty

(04:27):
five are in a higher risk bracket for meleodosis, but
other people who have chronic conditions such as diabetes and
lung disease, heart disease, liver disease, lung disease are at risk.
And people who are on immunous oppressive drugs that might

(04:49):
be for cancer or for other diseases are at risk,
as are people who overuse alcohol or binge drink as well.
So the the advice there is to know that you're
in the risk group, take even extra precautions and with
the alcohol to you know, go on the alcohol thry

(05:10):
at this time or especially if you're also in risk group.

Speaker 1 (05:13):
Can yeah good advice. So Vicky, if you do suspect
that you've contracted million doses, is it best just to
go to your GP to front up to the hospital.
What's the best tag to take?

Speaker 2 (05:25):
Well again. The most common presentation of this is usually
a pneumonia like presentation, so cough, fever and shortness of breath,
but it can actually just be like an unexplained fever,
or you get headaches and confusion. It can lead to sepsis.
You can have abscesses forming in various parts of your body,

(05:46):
for instance with men that it tends to collect in
the prostate and so they have a difficulty passing water.
Joints can swell up, you know, So there are all
of these symptoms can be are forewarning and so at
least talking to your GP and if feelings you know,
severely unwell, I'm going into the.

Speaker 1 (06:08):
ED Well doctor Vicki krass I always appreciate your time.
Thank you very much for making us aware of the
current situation, and no doubt we'll talk to you again
very soon. All. Thank you, thanks so much,