Flesh-eating ulcer cases projected to increase this summer

The transmission of a flesh-eating ulcer is tipped to increase over the coming months in Melbourne and coastal Victoria, with the health department warning cases are being detected throughout Geelong.

The Buruli ulcer is carried by mosquitoes.

“It doesn’t kill you, but it can leave you pretty disfigured and messed up, for sure,” Professor Tim Stinear, molecular microbiologist at the University of Melbourne’s Doherty Institute, told 3AW Breakfast.

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“It’s a nasty infection.”

Professor Stinear said avoiding being bitten by mosquitoes by using insect repellent, covering arms and legs and avoiding pools of still water was the best way to avoid contracting the infection.