BURULI ULCER CASES ARE RISING: HOW TO PROTECT YOUR FAMILY THIS SUMMER

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As the weather warms up and we head outdoors, health experts want Australians to know about a skin infection that is quietly on the rise.

Buruli ulcer is caused by a bacterium called Mycobacterium ulcerans, and it can cause serious damage to the skin if it is not caught early.

Victoria has been described as the Buruli ulcer "centre of the world", with a record 426 confirmed cases last year, according to ABC News.

Where is Buruli ulcer found?

In Victoria, it is most common on the Mornington and Bellarine peninsulas, around Geelong and in some Melbourne suburbs.

It also turns up in pockets of coastal Queensland, where it is known as Daintree ulcer, and around Darwin.

More recently, cases have been reported on the New South Wales south coast around Batemans Bay.

How does it spread?

Most people catch it in summer and autumn.

Research suggests it spreads to humans mainly through mosquito bites, which is why ulcers often appear on the arms and legs.

Possums are thought to be another source of the bacteria in the environment.

A 2026 study in Nature Microbiology found that reducing mosquito numbers in affected areas lowered the number of human cases.

Another study, published in 2025, found that testing possum droppings may help predict where cases will appear, with human cases usually following within three years.

The early signs

One reason it can be tricky is that it often starts as a small, painless lump that is easy to ignore.

Early on, it can look a bit like a spider bite that will not heal.

Over time, the skin can break down, turn black and become a growing open sore.

Symptoms usually appear five or six months after infection, so people may not connect it with a holiday they took months earlier.

That long delay is one reason it is worth knowing about now, before the summer holidays begin.

Visitors to affected coastal areas can be infected too, not just locals.

How it is diagnosed and treated

Doctors diagnose Buruli ulcer with a simple swab test.

Treatment usually involves a course of antibiotics lasting six to eight weeks, sometimes with surgery if the damage is severe.

Healing can take months, and occasionally up to a year.

Infectious diseases physician Dr Daniel O'Brien, from Barwon Health and the Royal Melbourne Hospital, is trialling a new 10-day antibiotic treatment that he says is gentler on the body.

Simple ways to lower your risk

Dr O'Brien told the ABC that protecting yourself from the environment can really reduce your risk.

His suggestions are practical and easy to build into your summer routine.

Cover up and use mosquito repellent on exposed skin, especially when gardening or walking in bushy areas.

Wear gloves and cover any cuts when handling soil.

If you do get a scratch or cut, wash it with soap and water and apply an antiseptic.

Tip out standing water around your home, where mosquitoes like to breed.

Do not handle sick or injured possums, and remember that trapping, relocating or culling possums without a licence is not allowed.

When to see a doctor

If you notice a lump or sore that is not healing, especially after spending time in an area where the infection is found, see your GP.

It is worth mentioning Buruli ulcer by name, as it can be mistaken for other skin problems.

Research led by Barwon Health and CSIRO is continuing, according to the Barwon South West Public Health Unit.

This is general information only, so always speak to your own doctor about any health concerns.

With a little awareness and a can of repellent, you can keep enjoying everything summer has to offer.