MELIOIDOSIS - AUSTRALIA (QUEENSLAND) ************************************ A ProMED-mail post <http://www.promedmail.org> ProMED-mail is a program of the International Society for Infectious Diseases <http://www.isid.org> [see also: 1999 ---- Melioidosis, human - Singapore 1998 (02) 19990330.0512 Melioidosis, human - Singapore 1998 19990330.0507 1998 ----- 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 *##########################################################* ProMED-mail makes every effort to verify the reports that are posted, but the accuracy and completeness of the information, and of any statements or opinions based thereon, are not guaranteed. The reader assumes all risks in using information posted or archived by ProMED-mail. ISID and its associated service providers shall not be held responsible for errors or omissions or held liable for any damages incurred as a result of use or reliance upon posted or archived material. ************************************************************ Visit ProMED-mail's web site at <http://www.promedmail.org>. Send all items for posting to: promed@promedmail.org (NOT to an individual moderator). If you do not give your full name and affiliation, it may not be posted. Send commands to subscribe/unsubscribe, get archives, help, etc. to: majordomo@promedmail.org. For assistance from a human being send mail to: owner-majordomo@promedmail.org. ############################################################ ############################################################