Cull fear for possums with flesh-eating bug

Kim Waters
AUTHORITIES have warned residents against launching a “possum cull” on the Bellarine Peninsula after the animals were identified as carriers of a dangerous flesh-eating bug.
Department of Health said research had found that some possums at Point Lonsdale were infected with Bairnsdale ulcer, which has previously attacked dozens of humans on the peninsula.
Department spokesperson Bram Alexander said Austin Hospital research had revealed ring and brush-tail possums as the ulcer carriers.
The finding disproved a previous theory the bug was only transmitted through contact with aquatic environments, he said.
“More work is required to identify the exact mode of transmission between the environment where the bug exists, how it gets to humans and if indeed possums are a transmitter,” Mr Alexander said.
“There are no recommendations from our research that possum control measures should be considered.”
Mr Alexander advised residents to “take precautions” against mosquitos during warmer months, saying it was “likely” they were the main transmitter of the bug, whose scientific name was mycobacterium ulcerans.
“It might just be possible that the possums have been bitten by mosquitos and infected in the same way humans have been in the past,” he said.
“We encourage people to avoid handling dead possums or their faeces but also to protect themselves against insect bites.”
Mr Alexander said the scientists who discovered the infected possums had also developed a “rapid identification test” for doctors.
The test was now available in parts of Africa where the bug was rampant, he said.
“It’s a huge burden on the population in parts of Africa where they don’t have much health care. GPs on the Bellarine Peninsula are using this test to identify the condition quickly but residents can help by checking cuts or scratches that are sore, especially on their arms or legs, and are a bit inflamed or not healing quickly.
“The bug can be identified within 24 hours and we have good antibiotics to treat it.”
Mr Alexander said the Bairnsdale ulcer was usually found in low-lying “marshy areas” consistent with parts of the Bellarine Peninsula.
The bug had infected 22 people in Victoria so far this year after attacking 28 in 2009 and 36 in 2008.
A City of Greater Geelong spokesperson said the City’s annual mosquito spraying program was “in part” aimed at preventing transmission of the bug.
“The program is currently underway and will be ramped up as summer gets closer,” the spokesperson said.