In the wake of floods, extreme weather, and contaminated environments, the risk of exposure to dangerous bacteria rises—and in northern Australia, melioidosis is a growing concern. This serious bacterial infection, caused by Burkholderia pseudomallei, thrives in deep soil and groundwater but becomes a greater risk during the wet season, when it rises to muddy surfaces due to heavy rain and flooding.

While melioidosis is uncommon in healthy adults and rare in children, it can be severe or even fatal for those with diabetes, kidney disease, lung conditions, cancer, or weakened immune systems. Unfortunately, more lives have been lost in recent months due to this infection, particularly in flood-affected regions where the bacteria can easily enter the body through open wounds, inhalation, or contaminated water and soil.

If you work or live in high-risk areas, knowing how to protect yourself is essential. Let’s explore how the right PPE, worn the right way, can significantly reduce your risk of melioidosis.

Why PPE is essential for melioidosis prevention

Melioidosis is an environmental bacterial infection that can cause severe illness or even death if left untreated. With Burkholderia pseudomallei thriving in wet, muddy conditions—especially after flooding—protecting yourself from exposure is critical.

How the bacteria enters the body

Unlike some diseases that require direct person-to-person contact, melioidosis spreads through contaminated soil, water, and airborne particles. This means even indirect exposure to contaminated environments can put you at risk. The bacteria can enter the body in several ways:

1. Through open cuts, wounds, or broken skin

One of the most common ways melioidosis infects humans is through direct contact with contaminated soil or water on broken skin. Even minor cuts, abrasions, or insect bites can act as entry points for the bacteria.

High-risk situations:

Working barefoot or wearing inadequate footwear in muddy or wet environments.
Handling soil, flood debris, or contaminated water without gloves.
Cleaning up after floods, where standing water may contain high bacterial levels.

How PPE helps:

Wearing long sleeves, long pants, and gloves creates a protective barrier, preventing bacteria from entering through the skin.
Waterproof boots prevent contaminated mud or water from reaching wounds or exposed skin.

2. Through inhalation of dust, mist, or contaminated droplets

Melioidosis can also be inhaled—especially in dry, dusty, or flood-affected conditions where soil particles become airborne.

High-risk situations:

Working with high-pressure water sprays, which can aerosolise bacteria into the air.
Performing clean-up activities, including sweeping dried mud and debris.
Being in dusty environments, especially after the wet season, when contaminated dirt is disturbed.

How PPE helps:

Wearing a properly fitted P2/N95 mask reduces the risk of inhaling contaminated particles.
Using safety goggles or face shields protects against airborne droplets or splashes that can enter through the eyes.

3. Through ingestion of contaminated water or food

Drinking untreated water or consuming contaminated food can also introduce Burkholderia pseudomallei into the body, leading to infection.

High-risk situations:

Drinking water from potentially contaminated sources (e.g., untreated rainwater, bore water, floodwater).
Consuming food that has been exposed to contaminated soil or water.
Eating with unwashed hands after handling contaminated materials.

How PPE helps:

Wearing gloves while handling flood-affected surfaces or food prevents cross-contamination.
Proper hygiene practices, including washing hands before eating, are crucial to avoiding ingestion of the bacteria.

How to wear PPE correctly for maximum protection

Wearing PPE is one of the best defences against melioidosis, but simply putting it on isn’t enough—it must be worn correctly to provide maximum protection.

In flood-affected regions, farms, construction sites, and other high-risk environments, improper use of PPE can lead to accidental exposure to contaminated soil, water, or airborne bacteria. To reduce the risk of infection, it’s essential to understand how to properly wear, fit, and maintain your protective gear.

1. Protective clothing

Your clothing is the first barrier between you and contaminated soil or floodwater. Wearing the right gear prevents bacteria from coming into direct contact with your skin, reducing the risk of infection.

✅ How to wear protective clothing correctly

Wear long-sleeved shirts and long pants to fully cover exposed skin.
Tuck pants into boots to stop water or mud from entering.
Use waterproof or disposable coveralls when working in high-risk areas such as flood cleanup zones.

❌ Common mistakes to avoid

Rolling up sleeves or exposing ankles in muddy areas.
Wearing loose clothing that can get soaked or contaminated.
Choosing absorbent fabrics like cotton, which trap bacteria and moisture.

🛡️ Pro Tip: If working in wet conditions, opt for lightweight, breathable, waterproof clothing that repels moisture but doesn’t cause overheating.

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2. Foot protection

Your feet are one of the most vulnerable parts of your body when working in floodwaters or contaminated environments. Bacteria can easily enter through cuts, blisters, or abrasions, leading to serious infections.

✅ How to wear foot protection correctly

Wear closed-toe, waterproof boots that cover your feet and lower legs.
Wear disposable or waterproof boot covers over work boots for an extra layer of protection.
Use rubber gumboots if working in deep water or highly contaminated areas.
Clean and disinfect boots after use to avoid bringing bacteria indoors.

❌ Common mistakes to avoid

Walking barefoot or in flip-flops in wet, muddy environments.
Wearing non-waterproof shoes that absorb contaminated water.
Reusing dirty boots without disinfecting them properly.
Skipping boot covers in high-risk areas or reusing them.

🛡️ Pro Tip: Wear thick socks under boots to prevent blisters and absorb sweat, reducing the risk of secondary infections. Always store clean boots in a dry area to prevent bacterial growth.

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3. Gloves

Your hands are constantly exposed to soil, water, and contaminated surfaces, making them one of the most important areas to protect.

✅ How to wear gloves correctly

Use waterproof or puncture-resistant gloves when handling soil, flood debris, or contaminated water.
Ensure gloves fit snugly—loose gloves can let in water, increasing contamination risk. So choose the right size when buying disposable gloves.
Change gloves frequently, especially if they become torn or wet inside.

❌ Common mistakes to avoid

Not wearing gloves when handling flood debris or cleaning up.
Touching your face or phone with contaminated gloves.
Reusing disposable gloves.

🛡️ Pro Tip: Always wash hands before and after wearing gloves to prevent cross-contamination. If there is no immediate access to water, use a hand sanitiser with at least 60% alcohol or an effective natural alternative of hand sanitiser for sensitive skin to clean your hands.

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4. Masks

Melioidosis isn’t just transmitted through skin contact—bacteria can also be inhaled, especially in dusty, windy, or flood-affected areas. A properly fitted P2 or N95 mask is essential for respiratory protection.

✅ How to wear a mask correctly

Use a P2 or N95 respirator in dusty, windy, or flood-affected environments.
Ensure the mask forms a tight seal over your nose and mouth. Find out how to measure your face to find the right-sized mask.
Replace the mask if it becomes wet, dirty, or damaged.

❌ Common mistakes to avoid

Wearing a loose-fitting mask. This actually allows particles to enter.
Reusing a disposable mask without proper care.
Pulling the mask down when talking, exposing your nose and mouth.
Relying on a standard surgical mask—surgical masks are not designed to create a tight seal and may not provide adequate protection against airborne bacteria like Burkholderia pseudomallei.

🛡️ Pro Tip: Fit test your mask before entering high-risk areas to ensure it provides full protection.

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5. Eye protection

And no, we don’t mean sunglasses. Many people overlook eye protection, but bacteria can enter through the eyes if exposed to splashes, dust, or contaminated mist. Goggles or face shields provide an essential layer of defence.

✅ How to wear eye protection correctly

Use safety goggles or face shields in high-pressure cleaning, flood cleanup, or soil movement.
Ensure goggles fit securely around the eyes to prevent water or dust from entering.

❌ Common mistakes to avoid

Wearing loose-fitting glasses instead of protective goggles.
Not cleaning and disinfecting goggles after exposure to contaminated water.

🛡️ Pro Tip: Choose anti-fog goggles for better visibility in humid or wet conditions.

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PPE is only effective if worn correctly. So, keep this in mind:

Make wearing PPE a habit, especially when you’re doing clean-ups after the flood.
Check your gear before entering contaminated environments.
Follow best practices to maximise protection.

How to remove PPE safely to prevent contamination

Wearing Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) is only part of the equation when it comes to preventing melioidosis exposure—removing it correctly is just as important. Improper removal of contaminated PPE can increase the risk of infection, as bacteria can transfer from your gear to your hands, clothing, or even your face.

Why is this important? Because melioidosis-causing bacteria can survive on surfaces for less than 24 hours or can be up to 7 days, depending on the surface material, meaning that a simple mistake—like touching your face while removing gloves—could expose you to infection. Following a step-by-step PPE removal process ensures that you avoid accidental contamination.

1️. Remove gloves first

Gloves are the most contaminated part of your PPE, as they come into direct contact with soil, water, and potentially infected surfaces. Removing them incorrectly can lead to bacteria spreading onto your hands or clothing.

How to remove gloves properly:

Pinch the outside of one glove near the wrist and peel it off, turning it inside out as you remove it.
Hold the removed glove in your gloved hand.
Slide your bare fingers inside the cuff of the remaining glove and peel it off, wrapping it around the first glove.
Dispose of gloves immediately in a sealed plastic bag or biohazard bin.

2. Carefully remove protective clothing without touching the outside

Your protective clothing (coveralls, jackets, pants) may have trapped bacteria from contaminated soil, floodwater, or airborne particles. Improper removal can lead to exposure.

How to remove protective clothing properly:

Unzip or unfasten garments carefully, avoiding touching the outside surface.
Peel clothing off from the shoulders downward, turning it inside out as you remove it. Do not pull the clothing over your head as this can increase the risk of you inhaling or transferring the bacteria.
Avoid shaking or snapping clothing, as this can release contaminated particles into the air.
Place used protective clothing in a sealed plastic bag if disposable or directly into a designated wash bin if reusable.

3️. Remove boots last

Your boots and boot covers are in direct contact with contaminated water and mud. Taking them off incorrectly can spread bacteria to clean surfaces or your hands.

How to remove boots properly:

Use a disinfectant spray or wipes on boots before removing them.
Remove boot covers first if wearing them, rolling them down inside out and discarding them properly.
Take off boots carefully, using a boot jack or pulling them off without touching the soles.
Store reusable boots in a clean, dry area and disinfect them thoroughly before the next use.

🛡️ Pro Tip: Always have a designated area for PPE removal to prevent contamination from spreading into clean spaces.

4. Wash hands immediately after PPE removal

Even if you’ve removed PPE correctly, bacteria can still be present on your hands. Hand hygiene is the final step in ensuring you are fully protected. If possible, take a full shower after working in high-risk areas to remove any remaining contaminants from your body.

Conclusion: When & where to wear PPE for melioidosis prevention

Wearing Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) is one of the most effective ways to reduce the risk of melioidosis, but it’s not just about what you wear—it’s also about when and where you wear it. High-risk environments increase exposure to Burkholderia pseudomallei, and knowing when to take extra precautions can make all the difference in staying safe.

When should you wear PPE?

During flood cleanup & recovery efforts
While working in soil, gardening, or farming
When handling animals or livestock in affected areas
In windy or dry conditions in high-risk regions

Whether you’re cleaning up after a flood, working in agriculture, or simply spending time outdoors in northern Australia, staying protected starts with the right precautions. Take control of your safety, wear your PPE correctly, and reduce your risk of melioidosis exposure.

March 18 2025, by Tatianna Gerard Protect Yourself from Melioidosis: How to Wear PPE the Right Way