As reported in the Victorian Department of Health’s (DoH) health advisory on the 10 October 2023, cases of Buruli ulcer are spreading in Victoria.
According to the DoH, as of 2 October, there have been 238 cases notified in Victoria, including in the following locations of our region of western Victoria: Bellarine Peninsula, Aireys Inlet, Surf Coast and parts of greater Geelong (Belmont, Highton, Newtown, Wandana Heights, Grovedale and Marshall).
Buruli ulcer is a skin infection caused by the bacterium Mycobacterium ulcerans (M. ulcerans). Patients usually develop a painless lump or wound (known as a nodule or papule) which can initially be mistaken for an insect bite. Over time the lesion can slowly progress to develop into a destructive skin ulcer which is known as Buruli or Bairnsdale ulcer.
- Lesions typically present as a slowly enlarging painless lump or wound which can initially be mistaken for an insect bite.
- Case numbers so far this year are higher compared to previous years.
- The disease is spreading geographically across Victoria and is no longer restricted to specific coastal locations. Most recently, there has been an increase in cases linked to several suburbs in Greater Geelong and the inner north and west of Melbourne.
- The highest risk for infection occurs during the warmer months, but it usually takes between 4-5 months for an ulcer to develop following infection.
- Early recognition and diagnosis are critical to prevent skin and tissue loss – consider the diagnosis in patients with a persistent ulcer, nodule, papule, or oedema and cellulitis not responding to usual treatments, especially on exposed parts of the body.
- Public health laboratory testing for Buruli ulcer is free for patients. A handling fee may be charged by private pathology companies.
- Buruli ulcer must be notified to the Department within five days of diagnosis.
- There is increasing evidence that mosquito bites and possums play a role in disease transmission in Victoria.
- Prevention measures include avoiding mosquito bites, reducing mosquito breeding sites, covering cuts and abrasions when outdoors and washing any soil or water off your skin following outdoor activities
Further Buruli Ulcer Resources
You can find information about the Buruli ulcer in the Victorian DoH’s Health Advisory and on the following Western Victoria HealthPathways:
- Buruli Ulcer
- Infection and Bacterial Load in Wounds
- Notifiable Conditions in Victoria
- Bite Wounds
- Zoonoses