The causative organism is from the family of bacteria which causes tuberculosis and leprosy. It destroys skin, underlying tissues and causes deformities.
Lesions occur mainly in the limbs.
Buruli ulcer is the third most common mycobacterial infection in healthy people after tuberculosis and leprosy and the most poorly understood of these three diseases. However, cases were described as early as 1897 in Uganda by Sir Albert Cook. Most patients are women and children who live in rural areas near rivers or wetlands. Not much is known about the mode of transmission to human beings. All countries along the Gulf of Guinea are now affected.