Journal Article

Epidemiology of Buruli Ulcer in Victoria, Australia, 2017–2022

Ravindran, Bhavi, McVernon, Jodie, Hennessy, Daneeta, Tay, Ee Laine, Banuve, Rosalina Sa’aga, Carville, Kylie, O’Hara, Miriam

2025

Overview

Buruli ulcer (BU) is a rare, neglected tropical disease caused by Mycobacterium ulcerans that can lead to severe skin ulcers. To determine the epidemiology of BU in Victoria, Australia, during 2017-2022 we analyzed surveillance data. A total of 1,751 cases of BU were notified; 968 (55%) patients were male and 781 (45%) female (2 were missing sex data), and 984 (56%) resided in established BU-endemic areas, although an increasing number were in new BU-endemic areas. Most cases (83%, 1,301) were classified as category I. Multivariate modeling demonstrated that factors for severe BU included being male, being older, and living in a new BU-endemic or non-BU-endemic area. A relatively shorter interval between first visit to a clinician and receipt of diagnosis was protective against severe disease. The expansion of BU-endemic areas throughout Victoria remains a public health concern and calls for targeted action, particularly for patients and clinicians in new BU-endemic areas.

• Publisher: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
• Subject: Adolescent / Adult / Aged / Aged, 80 and over / Australia / Buruli ulcer / Buruli Ulcer - epidemiology / Buruli Ulcer - history / Buruli Ulcer - microbiology / Child / Child, Preschool / Disease / endemic / Epidemics / Epidemiology / Epidemiology of Buruli Ulcer in Victoria, Australia, 2017–2022 / Female / History, 21st Century / Humans / Infant / Laboratories / Male / Marsupials / Melbourne / Middle Aged / Mosquitoes / Mycobacterium ulcerans / Patients / Population / Public health / Surveillance / Ulcers / Variables / Victoria - epidemiology / Young Adult