Australians told not to go outside to avoid deadly bacteria

View
comments

Northern Territory residents have been warned not to go outside or they could be killed by an airborne bacteria.

The deadly microbes live in soil and can become airborne and breathed in by people while doing yardwork such as mowing or pressure washing. 

Cases of melioidosis, which is caused by microscopic 'safety pin' shaped bacteria, have surged due to the La Nina wet season with 23 infections since October. 

Two out of the 23 melioidosis patients died, which is the same as the numbers of deadly Covid-19 cases in the Northern Territory.

Professor Bart Currie, from the Royal Darwin Hospital and Menzies School of Health Research, said after years of dry conditions the increased rain 'recharged' the environment with water and bacteria.