In the suburbs of Melbourne, a flesh-eating bacterial disease that was barely understood a generation ago has surged 350 percent in five years, tracing a quiet chain of transmission from possum to mosquito to human skin. A landmark trial deploying nearly 600 specialized traps across affected neighborhoods reduced mosquito populations by 70 percent and human infections by 83 percent — the first scientific demonstration that controlling the insect vector can meaningfully protect people. The findings arrive as Victoria enters its riskiest transmission season, placing a once-theoretical goal — the
Mosquito traps cut Buruli ulcer infections by 83% in Melbourne trial
Buruli ulcer causes severe skin destruction and tissue loss, requiring prolonged antibiotic treatment; some patients need skin grafts; Victoria reported 426 cases in 2025 and over 100 already in 2026.