Increased Incidence of Melioidosis in Far North Queensland, Queensland, Australia, 1998–2019

Abstract

During January 1998–December 2019, the annual incidence of melioidosis in Far North Queensland, Queensland, Australia, more than doubled. Because climate and prevalence of predisposing medical conditions remained stable during that time, we hypothesize that the increased incidence was caused by urban expansion and increased construction, resulting in greater exposure to Burkholderia pseudomallei.

Keywords

• melioidosis
• Tropical medicine
• weather
• climate
• bacteria
• Burkholderia pseudomallei