NT Health has issued a new warning about deadly soil-borne disease Melioidosis following the deaths of two people since October and diagnosed cases rising due to recent heavy rains.

The department said 22 cases, including the two deaths, were reported since October with six of those cases diagnosed in the past week alone following heavy rains in the region.

NT Health said they expect cases to continue to rise throughout the wet season and that it is important for anyone experiencing symptoms of Melioidosis to get medical attention early.

Health experts said the disease could lead to severe pneumonia and blood poisoning, with 10 per cent of infected individuals dying if left untreated.

Melioidosis is caused by the bacterium Burkholderia pseudomallei which is found in tropical soil and water.

Heavy rains bring the melioidosis bacteria to the surface, and wind can cause it to be blown into the air which can be inhaled through dust and droplets.

Melioidosis often causes lung infections accompanied by fever, cough and shortness of breath, but can also affect many variable parts of the body causing abscesses. The bacteria can also cause skin sores that do not heal.

Most people experience the first symptoms of melioidosis one to 21 days after they are exposed and infected with the bacteria.

The risk of contracting melioidosis is heightened in those with compromised immune systems caused by heavy alcohol consumption, diabetes, renal or lung disease, immunosuppressive therapy, cancer or old age.

Territorians can take precautions against melioidosis by wearing covered waterproof footwear when outdoors, using gloves while working in the garden or a soil-based environment, washing and covering sores and abrasions with waterproof dressings, wearing a face mask while using high-pressure hoses around soil and paths, staying indoors during heavy wind and rain, and seeking medical attention early.

NT Health said case numbers in the last wet season (October 1, 2022, to April 30, 2023) were higher than usual, with 87 cases of melioidosis and six deaths reported in the NT.

On average around 50 cases of melioidosis are reported in the NT annually, with the vast majority of those diagnosed between November and April.