Southern NSW Local Health District is reminding community members to watch out for the symptoms of the skin condition Buruli ulcer, and to avoid mosquito bites, after a locally acquired case was recently detected in the Eurobodalla region.
Local transmission of Buruli ulcer was confirmed for the first time in Southern NSW in 2023, after three people were diagnosed with the illness between 2021 and 2023.
The recent case is the fourth locally acquired case of Buruli ulcer in Southern NSW and the first since 2023.
Buruli ulcer has been reported in parts of Queensland, Northern Territory, and multiple areas in Victoria. The number of cases in Victoria varies from year to year, but numbers have been increasing to between approximately 200-360 cases per year since 2017.
Buruli ulcers typically appear as a painless red spot and progress over several weeks into an ulcer.
Anyone with a non-healing skin ulcer should see a doctor. Buruli ulcer is a skin infection caused by the bacterium Mycobacterium ulcerans. Buruli ulcer is curable with appropriate treatment. Early recognition and diagnosis are important to minimise skin damage.
While the precise transmission method for Buruli ulcer is not fully understood, there is increasing evidence that mosquitoes play a role in transmitting the infection. In many cases, the Buruli ulcer may not appear until four to five months or longer after exposure.
As mosquito bites are implicated in transmission, people can reduce their risk of Buruli ulcer by wearing loose, light-coloured clothing with long sleeves and pants and applying mosquito repellent that contains DEET.
Residents can prevent mosquito breeding by removing items around their home that might collect water, such as old tyres or empty pots. Drainage issues should be addressed so that water does not become stagnant. Ensure coverings for windows and doors have insect screens with no holes or gaps in them.