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​Cyclone Marcus Unleashes Deadly Airborne Bacteria In Australia

​Cyclone Marcus Unleashes Deadly Airborne Bacteria In Australia

Meliodosis is a common cause of serious pneumonia and blood poisoning

Jess Hardiman

Jess Hardiman

A deadly disease that's often seen after heavy rain is now circulating the Top End of Australia's Northern Territory, as Cyclone Marcus continues to ravage the area.

Meliodosis is a potentially life-threatening soil-borne disease, and can not only enter the body though cuts and sores, but also sometimes merely through inhalation.

As people begin to clean up the destruction from the cyclone, they have been warned to protect themselves against the disease.

"The bacteria live below the soil's surface during the dry season and are found in surface water and mud and can become airborne after heavy rain," said Dr Peter Markey, the acting director for The Centre for Disease Control.

"It can enter the body through cuts and sores in the skin, but acquiring the bacteria through inhalation of dust or droplets is also possible."

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Markey also said that meliodosis is a common cause of serious pneumonia and blood poisoning.

"Usually there are 35-50 cases of melioidosis reported in the Northern Territory each year and so far we have had 38 this wet season," he said.

Markey added: "Everyone should take extra care cleaning up after the cyclone, ensuring they wear appropriate clothing; gloves, closed-in shoes, long pants and long sleeves."

Chief Minister Michael Gunner has praised the way that Top Enders have handled the biggest storm to have hit the area in 30 years.

"By and large the resilience shown was exceptional... the fact we haven't had a reported injury yet just seems incredible to me," he said.

"Only 130 people sought shelter... which shows that most people were actually comfortable and confident with the cyclone plan they had and the place they were sheltering in."

"The majority of damage has been tree-related, not structural, which is also positive. So, lots of good out of this, but there's always things we can improve on."

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Gunner explained that the government would be looking to update its cyclone policy regarding when and which businesses should close, saying: "The stores that stayed open late or the stores that opened early: there is a degree of importance to keeping the supply chain available [for] people who need to go buy the water and the bread, but obviously the people working in these stores need their own welfare checked on, too."

He continued to say that he hoped the public service would return to full staffing levels on Tuesday.

The tropical cyclone left a trail of destruction in Darwin, which was battered by 130km/h winds that took down powerlines and sent trees flying.

While the eye of the category two storm has now passed the area's capital, many warnings still remain in place.

Featured Image Credit: Shutterstock

Topics: World News, Australia News, News