News 2017
A SECOND person has died in the Top End after contracting melioidosis, a mud borne disease which thrives in the wet...
June 2017
1) Watch out for melioidosis after disaster
As flood waters recede, a strong red flag is being waved on the needs to watch out for melioidosis. "Be alert for an increase in melioidosis cases," urges Senior Lecturer in Microbiology Dr. Enoka Corea of the Medical Faculty, University of Colombo, who has engaged in much research of the bug which causes this disease.
2) Melioidosis: another deadly disease that increases during floods
Melioidosis is a tropical infection, transmitted from soil and water to humans. It is seen only in warm, tropical countries. The causative pathogen is a bacterium found naturally in soil and water.
August 2017
1) Flood water can carry deadly disease, DDC warns
People living in flooded areas have been warned to keep time spent wading through water to a minimum lest they be infected with melioidosis, a disease that has claimed 21 lives this year.
2) Melioidosis in Thailand: Nearly 2,000 cases reported this year
Thailand health officials are advising people not to wade in water as the run the risk of the serious bacterial infection, melioidosis. According to the Thai Bureau of Epidemiology, since the beginning of the year, 1978 cases, including 21 deaths have been reported through Aug 21.
3) 2nd South Asian Melioidosis Congress on August 29, 30.
The 2nd South Asian Melioidosis Congress where global experts will interact and exchange views with local experts on this very important bacterial disease will be held on August 29 and 30 at the King's Court, Cinnamon Lakeside Hotel in Colombo.
October 2017
1) The second nationwide scientific workshop on Melioidosis. (Vietnam)
On the morning of October 7, Hue College of Medicine and Pharmacy- Hue University collaborated with the institute of Microbiology and Biotechnology, Vietnam National University to hold the second nationwide scientific workshop on Melioidosis, with the goal to update and share knowledge about epidemiology, clinical characteristics of Melioidosis in Vietnam and in the world.
November 2017
1) Melioidosis in South Asia: underground, underdiagnosed and dangerous
Melioidosis or Whitmore's disease may be difficult to diagnose because of its varied presentation- from a mild localized disease to full-blown septicaemia. Although first discovered in 1912 by Whitmore and Krishnaswamy in South Asian country of Burma, most clinicians throughout north India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, and Nepal do not consider this illness in the evaluation of febrile patient. This is despite estimates that south Asia is the hub of this disease, representing 44% of the global burden. .