Australians are being urged to take extra precautions after a spike in cases of a rare bacterial disease that has killed at least 28 people in Queensland and has now infected domestic cats, raising concerns for both human and animal health.
Melioidosis, a bacterial infection that thrives in wet soil and stagnant water, has infected 211 people across Queensland so far this year, far higher than previous annual totals. Most cases and deaths have been recorded in the Cairns Hinterland and Townsville regions, which were hit by heavy rains and flooding earlier this year.
