|
Archive Number |
20020313.3732 |
Published Date |
13-MAR-2002 |
Subject |
PRO/EDR> Melioidosis - Australia (Queensland) |
MELIOIDOSIS - AUSTRALIA (QUEENSLAND)
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A ProMED-mail post
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ProMED-mail is a program of the
International Society for Infectious Diseases
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[see also:
1999
----
Melioidosis, human - Singapore 1998 (02) 19990330.0512
Melioidosis, human - Singapore 1998 19990330.0507
1998
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Melioidosis - UK ex Indian subcontinent 19980905.1780
Melioidosis, fatal - Western Australia (02) 19980109.0061
Melioidosis, fatal - Western Australia 19980109.0060]
Date: 13 Mar 2002 12:04 PM
From: ProMED-mail <promed@promedmail.org>
Source: The Age [edited]
<http://www.theage.com.au/breaking/2002/03/13/FFXPK1K0QYC.html>
Outbreak of tropical soil disease
---------------------------------
An outbreak of the tropical disease melioidosis in north Queensland has
killed 2 people, the Tropical Public Health Unit said today. Public health
medical officer Susan Hills said a man from the Gulf region and another
from Townsville died in February from the disease, found in soil.
There have been 12 cases of melioidosis so far this year in the Queensland
tropics, with half occurring in the Gulf and the rest in the Torres Strait,
Cape York and Townsville. "We've had heavy rains recently in the Townsville
area and earlier in the year in the Gulf area of north west Queensland," Dr
Hills told ABC radio. "And subsequent to the rains we have seen an increase
in cases of (the disease) during the wet season, with 12 cases reported
this year."
Dr Hills said the germ lived in soil but was brought to the surface during
heavy rains and could be found in mud and pools of water. "People exposed
through contact with skin abrasions or wounds to the germ in the soil or
water could then get sick," she said. Healthy people were at low risk of
contracting melioidosis, although people with diabetes, kidney or lung
disease, or immune system problems were susceptible. Both men who died had
underlying conditions.
There were only 8 cases of the disease in Queensland last year, although 38
cases were recorded during 2000, Dr Hills said.
Melioidosis is a tropical disease found in the northern areas of
Queensland, the Northern Territory and Western Australia. Also known as
Whitmore disease, melioidosis involves a lung infection which can spread
through the blood to the heart, brain, liver, kidneys, and joints.
[Byline: Jordan Baker]
--
ProMED-mail
<promed@promedmail.org>
[The etiologic agent of melioidosis is _Burkholderia pseudomallei_. This
bacterium is considered a Category B agent of potential use in bio-warfare
according to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). -
Mod.ES]
.............................es/pg/es
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