Melioidosis — DVA SoP factors

Reasonable Hypothesis (RH) — Statement of Principles No. 55 of 2023

At least one of the following factors must as a minimum exist before it can be said that a reasonable hypothesis has been raised connecting melioidosis or death from melioidosis with the circumstances of a person's relevant service:

1. (1)
   being exposed to Burkholderia pseudomallei before the clinical onset of melioidosis;

   Note: being exposed to Burkholderia pseudomallei is defined in the Schedule 1 - Dictionary.

2. (2)
   being in an immunocompromised state as specified at the time of the clinical onset of melioidosis;

   Note: immunocompromised state as specified is defined in the Schedule 1 - Dictionary.

3. (3)
   having a medical condition from the specified list of medical conditions at the time of the clinical onset of melioidosis;

   Note: specified list of medical conditions is defined in the Schedule 1 - Dictionary.

4. (4)
   for males, having consumed at least 44 kilograms of alcohol within the 3 years before the clinical onset of melioidosis;

   Note: Alcohol is measured by the alcohol consumption calculations utilising the Australian Standard of ten grams of alcohol per standard alcoholic drink.

5. (5)
   for females, having consumed at least 30 kilograms of alcohol within the 3 years before the clinical onset of melioidosis;

   Note: Alcohol is measured by the alcohol consumption calculations utilising the Australian Standard of ten grams of alcohol per standard alcoholic drink.

6. (6)
   having alcohol use disorder at the time of the clinical onset of melioidosis;
7. (7)
   inability to obtain appropriate clinical management for melioidosis;

Aggravation-only factors: the factors in subsection 9(7) apply only to material contribution to, or aggravation of, the condition where it was suffered or contracted before or during (but did not arise out of) the person’s relevant service.