Buruli ulcer: a new case definition for Victoria

Authors

  • Juliana M Betts Victorian Government Department of Health and Human Services. ;School of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Monash University, Melbourne.
  • Ee Laine Tay Victorian Government Department of Health and Human Services.
  • Paul D R Johnson Department of Infectious Diseases, Austin Hospital, Melbourne.
  • Caroline J Lavender Mycobacterium Reference Laboratory, Victorian Infectious Diseases Reference Laboratory (VIDRL), at the Peter Doherty Institute for Infection and Immunity, Victoria, 3000, Australia.
  • Katherine B Gibney Victorian Government Department of Health and Human Services.;Department of Infectious Diseases, Austin Hospital, Melbourne;The Peter Doherty Institute for Infection and Immunity, University of Melbourne, Victoria, 3000, Australia..
  • Daniel P O’Brien Department of Infectious Diseases, University Hospital, Geelong. ;Department of Medicine and Infectious Diseases, Royal Melbourne Hospital, University of Melbourne, Melbourne.
  • Maria Globan Mycobacterium Reference Laboratory, Victorian Infectious Diseases Reference Laboratory (VIDRL), at the Peter Doherty Institute for Infection and Immunity, Victoria, 3000, Australia.
  • Nectaria Tzimourtas Victorian Government Department of Health and Human Services.
  • Miriam A O’Hara Victorian Government Department of Health and Human Services.
  • Simon R Crouch Victorian Government Department of Health and Human Services.

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.33321/cdi.2020.44.93

Abstract

Laboratory-confirmed infection with Mycobacterium ulcerans is currently notifiable to health departments in several jurisdictions. Accurate surveillance is imperative to understanding current and emerging areas of endemicity and to facilitate research into a neglected tropical disease with poorly-understood transmission dynamics. The state of Victoria currently reports some of the highest numbers of M. ulcerans cases in the world each year, with 340 cases notified in 2018 (an incidence of 5.5 per 100,000 population). In May 2019, a group of clinical, laboratory and public health experts met to discuss a new case definition for the surveillance of M. ulcerans disease in Victoria, incorporating clinical and epidemiological elements. The new case definition supports important public health messaging and actions for residents and visitors to popular tourist areas in Victoria.

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References

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Published

21/12/20

How to Cite

Betts, Juliana M, Ee Laine Tay, Paul D R Johnson, Caroline J Lavender, Katherine B Gibney, Daniel P O’Brien, Maria Globan, Nectaria Tzimourtas, Miriam A O’Hara, and Simon R Crouch. 2020. “Buruli Ulcer: A New Case Definition for Victoria ”. Communicable Diseases Intelligence 44 (December). https://doi.org/10.33321/cdi.2020.44.93.

Issue

Vol. 44 (2020)

Section

Surveillance summary

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