Army veteran Mathew Whitbread, 49, was fit and healthy when he contracted melioidosis while mud crabbing in north Queensland.

Seven people have now died from melioidosis in flood-ravaged north Queensland this year. Dozens of cases have been reported in the state in recent weeks, which experts have described as unprecedented.

There's been a surge of melioidosis cases this year. Here's everything you need to know about the disease, what's causing it to spread, and your risk.

The number of cases of the soil-borne infection is at an all-time high in northern Queensland, and a survivor says people need to take it seriously.

Millions of Australians have been warned of a deadly “mud bug” brought out by floodwaters that has already claimed almost 20 ...

After an 'unprecedented' surge in cases this year, those in flood affected areas are being urged to protect against the ...

A deadly bug that has already claimed at least 16 lives in 2025 in flood-ravaged north Queensland communities is following the path of ex-Tropical Cyclone Alfred south. Melioidosis is a bacterial ...

The infection is rare and often misdiagnosed as its symptoms are similar to many other diseases. In Queensland, around 0.6 ...

Another four people have died due to a dangerous bacterial disease plaguing far north Queensland, bringing the total number ...

A new melioidosis death has been recorded in Townsville overnight, bringing the current North Queensland tally to six deaths since the start of the wet season and four deaths following severe flooding ...

SYDNEY, Feb. 21 (Xinhua) -- Authorities in the Australian state of Queensland have reported a fifth death from melioidosis linked to heavy rainfall. An elderly person from the city of Townsville ...

A rare soil-borne disease has claimed the lives of 12 people in northern Queensland, amid a surge in cases since the start of the year.