Melioidosis infiltrating Gulf region

A tropical disease, called melioidosis, has recently infiltrated the United States - especially in the Gulf Coast region - has pushed scientists to sound the alarm for health care providers to be on the lookout.

Melioidosis has been diagnosed in the U.S. before, though most of those cases were linked to traveling to tropical or subtropical areas where the bacterium that causes it was known to be present: Southeast Asia, northern Australia, parts of Central and South America and Puerto Rico, Medscape and the Centers for Disease Control reported. 

There has been an average of 12 U.S. cases per year.

Residents in Gulf Coast states should be aware that the disease may be present in their environments because “up to 9 out of every 10 people who get it die” worldwide without treatment, per the CDC, and it’s fatal in two out of 10 with the best medical care. 

A January 2023 case marked the third diagnosis in Mississippi since 2020, according to Medscape and the CDC. 

The first two cases were likely precipitated by contact with the bacterium in the soil around people’s homes, according to the Mississippi State Department of Health (MSDH). Symptoms of melioidosis include fever, joint pain, and headaches, and the disease can lead to pneumonia, abscesses, and blood infections. 

“It is critical to prevent infection through the feet and lower legs (after flooding or storms),” the MSDH has stated.

The department advises Gulf Coasters - especially with chronic illnesses - to avoid contact with soil or muddy water, especially after heavy rains. 

MSDH also recommends protecting open wounds with waterproof dressings, wearing waterproof boots when gardening or doing agricultural work, and wearing gloves when working directly with soil.

CDC encourages clinicians in the Gulf Coast region learn about melioidosis and to be aware of the potential for more non-travel cases as CDC and state partners continue investigating the geographic spread of B pseudomallei,” the Medscape report stated. (Cool Down 01/03/24) Scientists sound the alarm over deadly tropical disease discovered in southern US: ‘It is critical to prevent infection’ (msn.com)