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Rise of flesh-eating ulcers in Australia’s Victoria state leaves scientists searching for answers

  • Buruli ulcer first emerged in Australia in the early 1900s, but cases have skyrocketed in recent years
  • Much is still unknown about the disease, which can lead to large open wounds, and if untreated, permanent disfigurement and disability

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People are seen on a beach near Melbourne, in Australia’s Victoria state. Buruli ulcer cases have been found in parts of the inner city, but are more common along the coast. Photo: EPA
Joshua Mcdonaldin Melbourne

Australian property stylist Ali Waight thought she had a mosquito bite when a red welt appeared on her left leg in early 2018. But within days, the mark had “developed into a massive hole”.

What followed was almost a year of fatigue and misery for the 45-year-old, who lives in the coastal town of Point Lonsdale, an hour’s drive south from Melbourne.

“I wasn’t allowed to play with my three kids, I wasn’t allowed to go swimming, go to work, ride my bike, walk the dogs, I couldn’t even walk. It just went on and on and on. It was just debilitating,” she said.

Mosquitoes are thought to spread the flesh-eating bacteria that causes Buruli ulcers. Photo: Shutterstock
Mosquitoes are thought to spread the flesh-eating bacteria that causes Buruli ulcers. Photo: Shutterstock

Waight was diagnosed with Buruli ulcer, a disease caused by flesh-eating bacteria that can lead to large open wounds, and if untreated, permanent disfigurement and disability.

The disease first emerged in the Australian state of Victoria in the early 1900s, but cases have skyrocketed in recent years, with the state recording 277 in 2017, 340 in 2018, 299 in 2019 and 218 last year. This year, 38 cases have appeared so far – an increase compared to the same period in 2020.

Waight thinks she was infected with the flesh-eating bacteria after being bitten by a horsefly. She had two surgeries – one in July 2018 and another in January 2019 – and was treated with antibiotics that she said affected her mental health.

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