Woman dies from leptospirosis after hunting near Top End billabong

By Courtney Barrett PetersTopic:Diseases and DisordersPosted Thu 5 Nov 2026 at 3:42pmThu 5 Nov 2026 at 3:42pmThe woman died at Royal Darwin Hospital from the bacterial illness last week. (ABC News: Che Chorley)In short:A Top End woman who contracted leptospirosis while hunting near a billabong has died.Leptospirosis is a serious bacterial infection which can be spread from contaminated water, mud or soil.What's next?NT Health urges anyone with symptoms to seek urgent medical attention.A woman has died after contracting leptospirosis while hunting near a billabong in a remote Top End community.The patient, aged in her 30s who also had underlying health conditions, developed a "rapid infection" from the serious bacterial illness and died at Royal Darwin Hospital a week ago.The exact location where the woman contracted leptospirosis or how long she had been unwell remains unclear.The ABC understands the patient was one of four confirmed cases admitted to Royal Darwin Hospital's intensive care unit in recent months.The three others have since been discharged.NT health has confirmed 11 people have contracted the illness so far in 2026, up from six recorded cases in the Territory last year.Authorities are urging people to take extra care around NT waterways.Leptospirosis is a serious bacterial infection which can be spread from water, mud or soil contaminated by infected animal urine, mostly after flooding events.Leptospira bacteria can be picked up through cuts to the skin or splashes to the eyes, nose or mouth, and causes symptoms including sudden fevers, severe muscle pain and bloodshot eyes.Last month, NT authorities issued a public health alert for the bacterial infection, and identified areas around Fogg Dam, Harrison Dam, Gunbalanya, Finniss River, Tipperary Station, rural Darwin, Katherine and Arnhem Land as places with an increased risk.People who hunt, muster, bushwalk or interact with animals are being warned to take extra precautions including avoiding wading through potentially contaminated water, covering open wounds and wearing protective clothing.Early diagnosis and treatment of the illness is critical, with NT Health urging anyone with symptoms to seek urgent medical attention.