Father-of-two dies three weeks after contracting tropical disease during damaging Queensland floods

A father-of-two has sadly died just weeks after contracting a tropical bacterial disease during the devastating Queensland floods.

Evan Brown, 40, from Cairns, was rushed to Gold Coast University Hospital after falling ill at work on February 13, suffering multiple organ failure and septicaemia.

The sales assistant was later diagnosed with having melioidosis – a bacterial infection found in contaminated groundwater and soil.

The father-of-two put up a three-week fight and but lost his battle surrounded by loved ones on Monday.

‘Today (March 4), surrounded by his family, Evan took his final breath, releasing himself from the pain that he has endured over the last three weeks and is now at peace,’ his sister-in-law Harley Brown posted on the family’s Gofundme page.

‘Unfortunately Evan’s body did not respond to the specific medication that is used to treat melioidosis and despite his best efforts he wasn’t able to fight the infection.

‘We ask that you keep Sarah, the kids and Ev’s extended family in your thoughts and give them some time and space to come to terms with their new reality of a life without him.’  

Melioidosis, also known as Whitmore’s disease, can affect both humans and animals, and is more prevalent after floods, when cases usually spike.

Far North Queensland was hit with multiple cyclones and floods in recent months.

Mr Brown’s death is the second this year in the region directly related to melioidosis, with a man also dying from the disease in January. 

At least two patients died from Melioidosis after Townsville’s 2019 floods. 

In 2023, seven children were diagnosed with the infection after an outbreak at a Cairns private school. 

A Cairns Hinterland Hospital and Health Service spokeswoman told Cairns Post there have been a higher than average number of cases – 25 – in the region this year.

Tropical Public Health Services Cairns director Dr Richard Gair said people get the disease when skin abrasions or wounds come into contact contaminated wet soil or water containing the bacteria Burkholderia pseudomallei.

‘Melioidosis is very uncommon in healthy adults, and rarely seen in children, but can occasionally occur in people with diabetes, kidney problems, lung problems and people on medication that lowers their immune system,’ he said.

‘Symptoms of acute Melioidosis may include fever, cough and difficulty breathing; the effects can be very severe and often require hospitalisation for antibiotic treatment. 

‘Sometimes the disease presents as superficial skin infections or abscesses in various part of the body.’

The father’s family has urged people with symptoms, which can be similar to the flu, to get medical attention.

‘Please remember to push for second opinions if you are unwell for extended periods of time, we hope that our family’s pain can help your family avoid experiencing it and keep Evan’s memory alive in the process,’ his sister-in-law wrote.

A GoFundMe page has been set-up to help Mr Brown’s wife Sarah and their two children, Connor, 11 and Mia, 8.