100% Locally Owned, Independent and Free

100% Locally Owned, Independent and Free

UniSC microbiologist warns about dangers of sea foam whipped up by ex-TC Alfred

Do you have a news tip? Click here to send to our news team.

Retrospective approval sought for depot beside motorway

An application to convert a rural block into a transport depot is now open for public notification, with the retrospective plans lodged in response More

Industrial site sells for $3.4m in off-market deal

A freestanding industrial facility has fetched $3.4 million in an off-market transaction, highlighting the ongoing strength of the Sunshine Coast market. The sale of the More

$250k makeover for supported living home

Five housemates have moved back into their supported independent living house after a five-month, $250,000 renovation to refresh and modernise their ‘family’ home. Buderim housemates More

Ashley Robinson: Big losses to our community

I probably didn’t realise how the new-age digital world would impact simple but important things that we normally take for granted. What I am on More

Photo of the day: stunning sunrise

Sunrise at Cotton Tree, as photographed by Julianne Hutley. If you have a photo of the day offering, email photo@sunshinecoastnews.com.au. Photos must be horizontal/landscape and More

Deadly snake found far from home sparks investigation

A highly venomous snake has been found far from its usual range, sparking a rare job for snake handlers and an investigation by authorities. A More

As ex-Tropical Cyclone Alfred whips up sea foam along the coastline, a University of the Sunshine Coast microbiologist warns these “bacteria smoothies” may have more harmful pathogens than a sewage treatment plant.

UniSC Associate Professor Ipek Kurtboke said she was horrified to see footage of people playing in thick, sticky sea foam on the Gold Coast.

Her message was clear to people and their dogs: stay out of it if you don’t want to risk harming your health.

Research published by Dr Kurtboke with PhD student Luke Wright found the majority of bacteria isolated from sea foam sampled on the Sunshine Coast contained pathogens closely related to those found in sewage treatment plants across the world.

“It harbours bacteria that is far riskier to public health than previously thought,” she said.

Thirty-two strains of Nocardiae, a group of bacteria known to cause human and animal infections in skin, lungs and the central nervous system, were isolated from the near-shore sea foam.

“The public needs to be warned. Even after this cyclone is over, our beaches will carry the pathogen,” said Dr Kurtboke, an internationally renowned environmental microbiologist invited by several countries late last year to present talks on natural marine pollution.

“The public health risk relates to exposure to aerosols generated by the foam as well as direct contact through a wound. To stay safe, do not swim or play in the foam, or breathe near it.”

The findings also revealed the presence of antibiotic-resistant species among the isolates.

She said Nocardiae were usually found in foaming events at sewage treatment plants, where they thrived in excess oil and grease.

“While these natural bacteria are commonly found in soil, water and decaying vegetation, they are opportunistic pathogens and can cause serious disease such as nocardiosis in people and animals with weakened immune systems,” she said.

The PhD research of Mr Wright was co-supervised by UniSC Associate Professor Mohammad Katouli, an expert in antibiotic-resistant bacteria.

Dr Kurtboke, who is president of the World Federation of Culture Collections, was sought by foreign media and professional organisations in 2021 to provide expertise on the biggest ever outbreak of sea foam in the Marmara Sea, which threatened industry as well as the environment.

She recently edited the book Actinomycetes in Marine and Extreme Environments to communicate the importance of finding novel antibiotic producing actinomycetes in extreme and marine environments in the light of molecular advances.

Subscribe to SCN’s free daily news email

This field is hidden when viewing the form
This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.
[scn_go_back_button] Return Home
Share