Local warns on flesh bug

Kim Waters
POINT Lonsdale residents are calling on health authorities to ramp up research into the transmission of a dangerous flesh-eating bug as infected cases “pop up everywhere”, according to a resident.
The Independent reported last week that new Austin Hospital research had revealed some possums in the area were infected with Bairnsdale ulcer, disproving a previous theory the bug was only transmitted via mosquitos or contact with aquatic environments.
But Point Lonsdale resident Robert Doherty said a doctor had warned him the bug was transmitted “a number of ways”, including through contact with soil or in the air.
He said the bug had infected 12 people in Point Lonsdale in the last two months and feared the number would increase without community education and further research.
“I was in the backyard of my house cutting down trees and one of the branches pricked the skin of my leg,” Mr Doherty said.
“After a few weeks I went to the doctor and he said the branch that pricked me must have had soil in it that was infested with the bug.”
Mr Doherty said his ulcer was “about the size of a ten cent piece” and required plastic surgery and a skin graft.
“I saw an infectious diseases specialist and he said more research was desperately needed into how the bug is transmitted but that it could be through mosquitos, sand flies, march flies, soil or even in the air,” he said.
“I’m wondering if the Department of Health have come up with this possum theory to allay people’s fears, but really we need to educate the community more and tell people to be careful when outside or working in the garden.
“Residents should cover up, especially around soil, and see their doctor if they have a cut or bite that isn’t healing.”
“They will be digging up the soil and if this bug is airborne it could spread, they just don’t know,” he said.
Department of Health spokesperson Bram Alexander said “more work” was needed to identify the ulcer’s mode of transmission.
A Queenscliff Council spokesperson said the borough was “aware” of the problem and had organised a community information night for October 5.