Flesh-eating ulcer mystery solved

Scientists have largely solved the mystery of how a flesh-eating ulcer, which was first seen in Victoria about 90 years ago, spreads.

Last year, there were 280 cases on the Buruli ulcer across the state.

Molecular microbiologist at the University of Melbourne’s Doherty Institute, Professor Tim Stinear, says researchers can now say, with a high degree of confidence, how the ulcer spreads.

“We think possums are this reservoir of the bacteria out in the environment,” he told Ross and Russel.

“They get the disease as well, they’re victims in this story too.

“We think the missing link here is mosquitoes that are spreading it from the possums to the people.”

The ulcer is believed to have originated in South-East Asia thousands of years ago, before moving into the north of Australia, then down to Victoria.

Press PLAY below to hear more about the flesh-eating ulcer