Flood hit region's disease deaths rise as cyclone looms

The soil-borne disease has emerged as another threat to locals mopping up after record flooding as Cyclone Alfred looms.

Recovery efforts are underway in north Queensland after record-breaking February rainfall triggered floods that claimed two lives and forced hundreds to evacuate.

The clean-up continues as authorities track Cyclone Alfred which is expected to develop into a "severe" category three system by Wednesday.

Another concern is the "very alarming" rise in melioidosis cases, a wet season disease spread through contact with contaminated water, soil and air.

There have been 53 cases in Cairns since January, mostly amongst the elderly or people with diabetes, chronic diseases or receiving cancer treatment.

"It absolutely is a record-breaking year," Tropical Public Health Services director Jacqueline Murdoch told reporters on Tuesday.

"We haven't seen anything like this, and the numbers are very alarming."

Cairns authorities announced last week four people had died from the disease.

Since then another five fatalities have been recorded.

Three people also died from the soil-borne disease in Townsville since flooding inundated the north in February, authorities revealed last week.

Melioidosis symptoms range from fever, pneumonia, exhaustion, vomiting, abdominal pains or chest pressure.

Authorities are investigating the high number of cases but suspect hot temperatures and high rainfall have contributed.

Dr Murdoch urged Queenslanders to wear boots, a mask and long pants when cleaning up as a precaution.

North Queensland is already on high alert with Cyclone Alfred sitting about 950km off Mackay.

The cyclone is slowly moving southeast while intensifying and is tipped to become a category three system by Wednesday morning.

A number of scenarios are possible from Friday including Cyclone Alfred tracking closer to the Queensland coast.

Locals have been urged to monitor the latest forecasts and warnings as authorities track the system's progress.

Cyclone Alfred's only impact on the Queensland coast to date is gusty winds and showers for coastal communities from K'gari (formerly Fraser Island) north to Cairns.

If the cyclone tracks toward the coast it may trigger more rainfall just as scientists count the cost of the recent deluge on the Great Barrier Reef.

Record rainfall pushed vast amounts of river runoff to the reef, forming extensive flood plumes, James Cook University's TropWATER scientists said.

Satellite imagery revealed the full extent, with flood plumes stretching more than 700km along the coast and up to 100km offshore.

Flood plumes reduce light to coral reefs and seagrass, slowing their growth and can lead to bleaching and disease.

The surge of water into the reef contained freshwater, sediment, nutrients and contaminants from farms and urban landscapes.

Meanwhile, Cyclone Bianca located off Western Australia in the Indian Ocean is expected to weaken into a low pressure system by Wednesday and not impact the mainland.