Could Flesh-Eating Bacteria Be Lurking in Seaside Australia?

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SUMMARY

The discussion centers on the alarming presence of Mycobacterium ulcerans, the bacterium responsible for Buruli ulcer, particularly in seaside regions of Australia. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), there is currently no known prevention for this disease, which has been reported in 33 countries, primarily in tropical and subtropical areas. The annual global cases of Buruli ulcer have fluctuated, with a notable increase from 1961 cases in 2016 to 2713 cases in 2018. The potential environmental reservoirs, such as possums in Victoria, Australia, and the unique toxin produced by M. ulcerans, mycolactone, are critical factors in understanding this infection.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of Mycobacterium ulcerans and its environmental impact
  • Familiarity with Buruli ulcer and its global epidemiology
  • Knowledge of the role of environmental reservoirs in disease transmission
  • Awareness of public health resources such as WHO and CDC guidelines
NEXT STEPS
  • Research the latest findings on Mycobacterium ulcerans transmission and prevention strategies
  • Explore the role of possums in the ecology of Buruli ulcer in Australia
  • Investigate the development of potential vaccines or treatments for Buruli ulcer
  • Review WHO and CDC resources on Buruli ulcer for updated statistics and health recommendations
USEFUL FOR

This discussion is beneficial for public health officials, epidemiologists, environmental scientists, and anyone interested in infectious diseases and their prevention, particularly in relation to Buruli ulcer and Mycobacterium ulcerans.

Astronuc
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NY Times - A Terrifying Disease Stalks Seaside Australia: Flesh-Eating Ulcers
https://news.yahoo.com/terrifying-disease-stalks-seaside-australia-120741684.html
What looked like a sunburn on the top of a man's foot turned out to be an infection of a species of flesh-eating bacteria! The species is Mycobacterium ulcerans.

According to WHO, "the mode of transmission is not known and there is no prevention for the disease." "The organism belongs to the family of bacteria that causes tuberculosis and leprosy, which provides an opportunity for collaboration with these disease programmes. However, M. ulcerans is an environmental bacterium and produces unique toxin – mycolactone."

https://www.cdc.gov/buruli-ulcer/index.html
https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/buruli-ulcer-(mycobacterium-ulcerans-infection)

Buruli ulcer has been reported in 33 countries in Africa, the Americas, Asia and the Western Pacific. Most cases occur in tropical and subtropical regions except in Australia, China and Japan. Out of the 33 countries, 14 regularly report data to WHO.

The annual number of suspected Buruli ulcer cases reported globally was around 5000 cases up until 2010 when it started to decrease until 2016, reaching its minimum with 1961 cases reported. Since then, the number of cases has started to rise again every year, up to 2713 cases in 2018. The reasons for the decline and for the recent increase are not clear.
I thought it might be a case of warm (tropical) water. But apparently, there is a theory that it harbors in possums (in Victoria, Australia).

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Buruli_ulcer
 
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This is terrifying! I have never heard of this disease before. It's worrying to think that it can be contracted even in subtropical and temperate regions. Does anyone know what the best way to protect oneself is? Is there a vaccine or something?
 

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