There have been 13 confirmed cases of melioidosis relating to the flooding in north Queensland, including one person who died from the infectious disease, caused by bacteria from floodwater.

A further confirmed melioidosis case, unrelated to the flooding and outside of Townsville, had also
been confirmed.

The patient was in a stable condition.

The Townsville Public Health Unit acting director Dr Julie Mudd said all three people infected had at least one risk factor for melioidosis.

Dr Mudd said people at increased risk of contracting melioidosis were those who were already unwell, elderly
or people with existing chronic conditions.

"There are two patients in a stable condition at The Townsville Hospital and one patient in a serious condition in Mount Isa Hospital," she said.

Dr Mudd said the key public health message was for people to wear gloves and shoes during the
clean-up to prevent infection.

“For those people who are more susceptible to these illnesses, we’ve consistently asked them to
leave the clean-up to people who are fit and healthy,” she said.

Melioidosis very rarely affected healthy adults and children.

Dr Mudd said as the soil dried out the risk of contracting the illness would go back to its usual
'very low' level.

“However, we are asking people to still take precautions when cleaning up,” she said.

The Townsville Public Health Unit was still expecting additional cases as the incubation period for melioidosis could take weeks and proactive testing for melioidosis would continue.