Soil samples for testing at James Cook University.(ABC News: Tom Hartley)
Health authorities have diagnosed another case of melioidosis and two additional deaths related to the disease in Queensland.
Two patients in the state's north fell ill in Feburary and March and died in the weeks that followed, it has been confirmed.
Queensland Health believes melioidosis cases have peaked, but the threat remains.
Another case of the potentially deadly disease melioidosis has been diagnosed in Queensland.
Melioidosis is prevalent in northern Australia, where the bacteria that causes it can be found in soil and water.
The bacteria can enter the body through cuts, inhalation or drinking contaminated water.
Outbreaks of the illness are often observed during the wet season or flooding.
Above-average rainfall hit north Queensland at the start of the year and by May Townsville recorded its wettest year on record.
This year 236 people have been diagnosed with melioidosis in Queensland.
It isthe worst year for melioidosis in Queenslandsince records began in 1981 — of those cases 34 have been fatal.
Townsville is home to Queensland's leading melioidosis lab.(ABC North Qld: Chloe Chomicki)
Queensland Health said another case of melioidosis had been identified in the last seven days in the Cairns and Hinterland Health Service area.
During the last week health authorities also found that two patients who contracted melioidosis in Feburary and March had died as a result of the illness.
Queensland Health data shows the 2025 melioidosis outbreak peaked in January.
Since late April case numbers have not peaked above the five-year average.
Most melioidosis cases this year were recorded in Cairns, where there were 123 patients, followed by Townsville, where 86 infections were recorded.
Melioidosis is rare among healthy adults and children.
The risk is greater for people with health conditions such as diabetes or cancer.
Topic:Disaster and Emergency Response