AUSTRALIA – The outbreak of melioidosis, a tropical disease in Australia that has been linked to heavy rainfall and flooding have claimed at least 30 lives in 2025 in the northern parts of the country.
According to the latest data from the health department in Queensland, there were four new cases reported in the past week: one in Townsville and three in the city of Cairns, taking the total number of reported cases in the state this year to 221, the Australian Broadcasting Corporation reported Wednesday.
The latest fatality from the soil-borne disease melioidosis in Queensland was reported in the past week.
What is Melioidosis Disease Infection
Melioidosis is a rare tropical disease that is spread through contact with bacteria found in soil and groundwater in northern Australia and Southeast Asia. After heavy rainfall, the bacteria can become airborne.
Record-breaking rains and widespread flooding hit Townsville, Cairns and surrounding areas in February.
According to the director of public health in Townsville, Dr. Steven Donohue, reports of new cases had died down significantly as the weather dried up.
“So far as we can see, the outbreak that we’ve had this year is probably over,” he said.