Health authorities in north Queensland are concerned three diseases could present significant risks to residents and relief workers as they attempt to clean up after the record flooding in the state's north.
Richard Gair, director of Tropical Public Health Unit in Cairns, said key concerns included gastroenteritis and leptospirosis, but a soil-borne disease was at the top of the list, melioidosis, which can be fatal.
Melioidosis is a rare tropical disease caused by bacteria commonly found within the soil in northern Australia but can come to the surface during floods when "everything is churned up".
During the last major flooding in north Queensland, in 2019 in Townsville, four of the 22 people diagnosed with melioidosis died.
"People get melioidosis either by being immersed in floodwater, swallowing the water, or breathing in an aerosol of a spray from flood water or mud," Dr Gair said.
Avoiding and minimising contact with floodwater and mud is advised, but if you cannot avoid contact the advice is to wear gloves and boots.
"And if you do get covered in mud, or if you get mud on your feet or your hand or any part of your body, just wash it off as quickly as possible with soap and water just to try and minimise that risk," Dr Gair said.
Because it is soil-borne there is a strong possibility the bacteria that causes melioidosis could be found in mud and dirt being cleaned from homes.
Dr Gair advises wearing masks while cleaning up.
Symptoms of melioidosis can develop anywhere from a few days to a few weeks after exposure.
These symptoms include chills, muscle pain, ulcers and abscesses. It can cause a pneumonia that results in a fever and a cough.
If melioidosis is diagnosed early it can be treated with antibiotics.
Cases of leptospirosis also increase after flood events.
People become infected through contact with water, food, or soil contaminated with urine from infected animals.
Symptoms include fever, headaches, and muscle pain. Nausea, vomiting and bloodshot eyes may also occur.
Leptospira bacteria are readily killed by disinfectants.
Cover, wash, clean-up
Allision Hempenstall from the Torres and Cape Hospital and Health Service said many communities across far north Queensland were well aware of the importance of seeking medical attention when they got skin sores or infections on their skin.
"It comes back to taking the basic advice seriously," she said.
With thousands of homes experiencing power loss, Dr Hempenstall advised the community to throw out potentially contaminated food.
"It's critical that you do not eat food or medication that has come into contact with floodwater or may not have had appropriate cooling or freezing as this risks diseases such as gastroenteritis," she said.
If food has not be sufficiently refrigerated for more than four hours, or 24 hours for food in the freezer, it should be thrown out.
Not just crocs in the water
Increased amounts of stagnant water after floods also mean a mosquito population boom.
"The main mosquito that we're likely to see increase in significant numbers is the culex mosquito," Dr Gair said.
"That mosquito is the one that transmits Ross River fever and Barmah Forest virus."
The advice is to cover arms and legs with light-coloured clothing, use insect repellents, make sure screens on doors and windows are in good repair, and tip out any water that may be collecting in receptacles including boats and flowerpots around the home.
Dr Hempenstall said with the exception of the Wujal Wujal primary health care centre, all far north health facilities were "running well".
"Please don't hesitate to reach out to your local primary health care centre or hospital for advice and support if you feel unwell with fevers, muscle pains, cough, abdominal pain, or you have a skin infection," she said.
"That's what the health centres and hospitals are there for."
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2023-12-21 02:03:24Z
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