The disease skyrockets after the North-West Flood

HUNDREDS of flood victims are battling an epidemic of fever, infections and health problems as a result of the one-in-a-half disaster in northern Queensland.

Nearly 1,000 people are still homeless, rental housing is almost nil and some of the 3,500 families affected by the record flood are waiting to rebuild and return home two months later, with a delay in insurance payments .

Public health officials said Mail-Mail The latest figures on the different types of flood-related diseases and confirmed cases show the "substantial" impact of the record February rainfall that has swamped the city.

Viruses transmitted by mosquitoes, such as the Ross River virus, exploded and two people died of the tropical disease called melioidosis, through contact with contaminated flood waters that have grown to size up in size. some suburbs.

New studies reveal 60 cases of Ross River virus, 19 cases of melioidosis and 45 cases of gastrointestinal cryptosporidium.

There were 15 to 20 cases of more common staph infections (up to 380 people) with serious illness for each melioidosis.

Melanie Bragg, a 25-year-old gymnastics employee in Townsville, is still undergoing blood tests, and antibiotic treatment for melioidosis has been recovered during her family's cleaning in the suburb of Oonoonba.

"I have had fever, tremors, fatigue and muscle and joint pain, and it keeps going," said the mental health advocate.

"It made me wonder how many other people have received it and how many others have not been tested or diagnosed."

Dr. Julie Mudd, of the Townsville Public Health Unit, said the public messages broadcast during the flood had quickly detected many potentially serious infections, preventing patients from becoming seriously ill.

"There were no clear outbreaks following the floods, but the health impact was still important," said the public health doctor.

"As melioidosis, leptospirosis and legionellosis are diseases of the wet season, we will continue to monitor them until the end of the rainy season.

"Due to heavy rains, some mosquito-borne viruses, such as Ross River virus, transmitted by bush mosquitoes or swamps, have increased."

Dr. Mudd said it was important to become aware of the stress and emotional impacts that can continue to affect people over time and not directly result from floodwaters.

"Everyday symptoms can be exacerbated by pressure and stress, and can indicate more serious conditions.People should seek the advice of a doctor from their treating physician for any issues that concern them."

Officials also on Friday issued a measles alert in Townsville after three non-flood-related cases of the highly infectious disease that comes in the form of a red rash.