Taiwan reports most indigenous melioidosis cases since 2001
The Taiwan Department of Disease Control and Prevention reported this week a new case of local melioidosis last week after Typhoon Shantuol.
The patient is a man in his 60s from Kaohsiung City. He has a history of chronic disease and exposure to sewage and sludge. He sought medical treatment for symptoms such as fever, difficulty breathing, and limb weakness, and is currently hospitalized.
Officials stated that this year, there have been a total of 96 confirmed cases of indigenous melioidosis, including 17 deaths in Taiwan, the highest number in the same period since 2001.
The 96 local cases are reported to be in people over 65 years old (55 cases) and 50-64 years old ( 31 cases) as the main age groups, and they are distributed in Kaohsiung City (72 cases), Tainan City (10 cases), Taichung City (4 cases) and Pingtung County (4 cases), of which 69 cases were caused by Typhoon Kemi with onset within 1 month.
Taiwan health authorities emphasize that the melioidosis epidemic peaks after the typhoon, and people should take personal protective measures to avoid direct contact with skin and wounds or inhalation of contaminated dust, soil, and sewage to reduce the chance of infection. If suspected symptoms occur, especially in high-risk groups, they should seek medical treatment as soon as possible and inform them of their exposure history to sewage and sludge, so as to obtain early diagnosis and appropriate treatment. When doctors encounter suspected cases, they should assess and administer antibiotics as soon as possible and provide antibiotic treatment within 24 hours.
Melioidosis is caused by Burkholderia pseudomallei. The incubation period is on average 9 days, which can be as short as a few hours or as long as 21 days. The bacterium is found in soil, pools and stagnant water environments. The pathogenic bacteria are mainly contracted through contact with skin wounds. The infection is caused by contaminated soil or sewage. After a typhoon, strong winds and rains can easily expose Burkholderia pseudomallei in the soil and muddy water to the ground and spread more easily. It is often an inhaled infection, and the number of confirmed cases increases within one month after the typhoon. Symptoms of infected melioidosis vary greatly and may be asymptomatic, but common symptoms include fever, headache, local swelling and pain, ulcers, chest pain, cough, hemoptysis and swollen lymph nodes, which can lead to skin abscesses, pneumonia, encephalitis, and sepsis. Appropriate antibiotic treatment is required as soon as possible. The public is reminded to pay attention to their own health conditions and seek medical treatment as soon as possible if they have suspected symptoms. Doctors are also urged to be vigilant and pay attention to the reporting, diagnosis and treatment of suspected cases of melioidosis.