General News
12 January, 2026
Soil disease alert
HEALTH officials have launched a new campaign ‘Stay safe from melio’ to raise awareness about the risks of a deadly bacterial disease during the wet season.
Melioidosis – known locally as melio – is a serious bacterial infection caused by Burkholderia pseudomallei, a tough organism that lives in soil and surface water across Far North Queensland and the Top End.
It can enter the body through cuts and abrasions or be inhaled in tiny water droplets during heavy rain.
Cairns Public Health Unit director Dr Jacqueline Murdoch said the shortened name “melio” was chosen after community feedback showed the full name “melioidosis” was hard to pronounce.
“Melio’ is short, sharp and unmistakably local,” she said.
Dr Murdoch said early research continued to show a clear spike in melioidosis cases in Cairns during periods of very heavy rainfall.
“People with diabetes, kidney disease, lung conditions or anyone on treatment that lowers their immune system – such as chemotherapy or long-term steroids – are most at risk from melio,” she said.
“Healthy people under 50 with no underlying conditions are at very low risk.”
Last year, Cairns and Hinterland Hospital and Health Service recorded 129 cases of melio since 1 January 2025, including 17 tragic deaths.
“The big wet stirs melio up from deep in the soil and brings it to the surface,” Dr Murdoch said.
“That’s why we’re asking people with chronic health conditions to take three simple steps:
Look after your underlying health – make sure you are managing your chronic disease with your GP
Cover open cuts, wear waterproof shoes outdoors, avoid muddy water and wash hands well
Stay indoors during very heavy rain if you’re in a high-risk group.
“If you’re immunosuppressed and suddenly get a fever, cough or feel really unwell after heavy rain, get medical help straight away and tell them you’re worried about melio,” Dr Murdoch said.
Symptoms of acute melio can include high fever, cough, chest pain and shortness of breath. It can rapidly become severe and usually requires weeks of strong antibiotics in hospital.
Sometimes it shows up as skin infections, boils or abscesses that don’t heal.
“If you have a wound that won’t heal or ongoing fever for weeks after the wet season starts, see your GP and mention possible melio exposure,” Dr Murdoch said.
You can learn more about melioidosis (Melio) by calling 13 HEALTH (13 43 25 84) or visiting www.bit.ly/4skTaXt
