Melioidosis, a tropical disease caused by the bacterium Burkholderia pseudomallei that is known to live in soil around Northern Queensland, also thrives in floodwater.
A new study has linked the disease to groundwater for the first time, providing a possible reason behind the infection peak during the wet season and after periods of extreme water.
To avoid sickness, people living in Northern Queensland are advised to stay away from floodwater.
Read more at James Cook University