Deadly Tropical Disease Found in the United States for the First Time

A tropical disease that the World Health Organization considers one of the biggest threats to public health has been discovered in the United States for the first time, according to government researchers and an independent lab in New York City. The bacterium, called Burkholderia pseudomallei, can cause an infection called melioidosis that kills as many as 60 percent of people who become sick with it, though most people survive if they are diagnosed early enough and treated with antibiotics. A recent outbreak in Northern Australia has been linked to rat infestations, which are on the rise due to warmer temperatures and increased rainfall, scientists say.

Fatal Infection: Commonly Called ‘Gulf War Illness’

A new study has found that a tropical disease called melioidosis, which is fatal in up to 40 percent of cases, has been present in the United States for the first time. The bacteria that causes the disease, Burkholderia pseudomallei, was found in samples from three patients in Florida. Melioidosis is commonly known as ‘Gulf War illness’ because it was first identified during the Gulf War in 1990-1991. Symptoms of the disease include fever, chest pain, and coughing up blood. If left untreated, melioidosis can lead to organ failure and death. The good news is that the disease is treatable with antibiotics if caught early. According to Dr. Matthew Smeltzer, one of the authors of the study published in Lancet Infectious Diseases, there have only been a few hundred cases reported in North America since 1950 and all were diagnosed posthumously (not including the recent discoveries). It is unclear how these people became infected but potential sources include contact with soil or water contaminated by animal feces or eating vegetables grown using contaminated water. These methods are not common ways for people living in developed countries like the U.S., Europe, or Australia to get infected. One theory is that people could have contracted the disease while serving overseas in countries where melioidosis is more prevalent such as Thailand, Vietnam, Laos, Cambodia and Afghanistan. There have also been studies linking frequent military training exercises at the Kennedy Space Center with cases of infection in 2000. 

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention currently does not recommend any special precautions for travelers who may be exposed to an environment where they might contract this type of infection. But now that it has appeared in the US, we will need to reevaluate our stance on this issue. 

Melioidosis typically affects farmers, miners, and others who work outdoors in warm climates such as Southeast Asia and northern Australia. But now that we know it exists here too, those groups may want to take additional precautions against getting infected by wearing gloves when working outside or washing their hands frequently before meals. In addition, they should avoid playing with animals and report any unexplained fever or respiratory symptoms to their doctor immediately.

What are the Risks of Melioidosis?

Melioidosis is a serious and potentially deadly infection caused by a soil-dwelling bacterium. The infection can cause severe pneumonia and bloodstream infections, and can be difficult to diagnose and treat. People who are at increased risk for melioidosis include those who have diabetes, liver disease, kidney disease, or cancer, as well as people who are immunocompromised or take steroids. The bacteria that cause melioidosis are found in soil and water in tropical and subtropical regions around the world, including parts of the United States. Melioidosis is most commonly seen in Southeast Asia, Northern Australia, and Papua New Guinea. It's not usually diagnosed in the US because it typically affects people with weak immune systems. 

1 out of 4 cases in the US happen because travelers carry it back with them from overseas, but this latest case is different. Scientists say this may be because the person was living near an animal reservoir for the disease which has never been found on this side of the world before. It's also possible that this person picked up their illness after traveling outside of America; these types of diseases tend to only exist where they were originally contracted, so it's rare to find a new one on our shores. It'll take more research before scientists know if melioidosis will become more common here - but we should all start paying attention just in case! There are things you can do to protect yourself against this type of infection: wear insect repellent when you're outdoors, wash your hands regularly, avoid contact with animals or their environments (and don't feed any wild animals!), wear gloves when gardening or doing anything else that might put you in contact with soil, and stay away from pools of standing water. Don't hesitate to get medical care if you experience symptoms like fever, headache, muscle aches, joint pain, dry cough, diarrhea or skin rash. These are all warning signs that something could be wrong! If you experience any of these symptoms, visit your doctor ASAP and tell them about your travel history. Your doctor will likely conduct a chest X-ray to make sure there isn't an underlying lung problem, followed by tests such as blood work and cultures to look for evidence of bacterial infection. They may use a microscope or other testing methods to identify the type of bacteria causing the infection, then prescribe antibiotics tailored to your specific needs. With early diagnosis and treatment it's possible that anyone can survive melioidosis!

What Are the Symptoms of Melioidosis?

Melioidosis is a disease caused by the bacterium Burkholderia pseudomallei. It is found in soil and water in tropical and subtropical regions. The disease is most common in Thailand, Northern Australia, and Papua New Guinea. Symptoms of melioidosis include fever, cough, chest pain, and shortness of breath. The disease can also cause skin lesions and abscesses. If left untreated, melioidosis can be fatal. In 2009, a man from Thailand died after contracting melioidosis from contaminated drinking water while visiting his daughter who was studying abroad in California. He was hospitalized but did not respond to antibiotics and died shortly after returning to Thailand. 

A report published this week on Wired’s Threat Level website says researchers at the University of Arizona identified bacteria related to Burkholderia pseudomallei in samples taken from three ranches near Tucson that were treated with manure fertilizer containing infected bat droppings from China (bats are carriers). The report claims that so far there have been no cases of human infection reported due to these findings, but it recommends limiting contact with animal feces and wearing gloves when handling manure or compost that may contain infectious material such as droppings or hay. The U.S. Department of Agriculture has confirmed the presence of B. pseudomallei in Chinese fruit bats imported into the U.S., but has not identified any instances where humans have become ill from bat exposure here. Though rare, melioidosis is a severe illness and should be taken seriously if diagnosed. Those at risk of contracting the disease should take precautions such as avoiding contact with animals living in areas where the bacteria are endemic. They should wear gloves when gardening or working around crops that could have come into contact with fecal matter from infected animals and they should wash their hands often. Those interested in more information about prevention of melioidosis should visit www.cdc.gov/melioidosis/. 

As discussed above, melioidosis is a serious condition caused by an invasive bacterium found in tropical and subtropical regions. If you believe you have contracted melioidosis, see your doctor immediately to prevent complications such as sepsis or disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC). In addition to getting medical treatment right away, doctors will likely perform tests like blood cultures and sputum tests as well as CT scans or MRI images. Treatment usually consists of powerful antibiotics like tetracycline or ciprofloxacin; however these drugs can cause side effects including nausea, vomiting and abdominal pain.

How Is Melioidosis Diagnosed?

Melioidosis is often misdiagnosed because its symptoms are similar to other diseases, such as tuberculosis or pneumonia. To diagnose melioidosis, your doctor will likely order a chest X-ray and a blood test. If melioidosis is suspected, a biopsy of your skin or lungs may also be done. Treatment for melioidosis usually involves antibiotics, but hospitalization may be necessary if the infection is severe. In many cases, treatment can take months or years. 

Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) 

According to the CDC, methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) infections account for more than 80% of all staph infections found in hospitals and health care facilities today. MRSA is resistant to most beta-lactam antibiotics that were once widely used to treat it, making it difficult for doctors to treat these types of infections. 

What Causes MRSA?: The bacteria that cause MRSA live on the skin or inin the nose without causing any harm. These bacteria only become dangerous when they enter the body through cuts or scrapes in the skin. These injuries allow MRSA to invade deeper into the body, where they can infect organs like the heart, brain, joints, bones and lungs. Infections from this type of bacteria tend to occur among people who have weakened immune systems from conditions like diabetes or HIV/AIDS; people who have recently had surgery; people who use catheters; and elderly people who live in nursing homes. It's important to keep wounds clean and covered with sterile bandages until healed, so the bacteria doesn't get inside the body. It's also important to wash hands frequently with soap and water or an alcohol-based hand sanitizer. How Can You Prevent MRSA?: You can help prevent MRSA by keeping wounds covered and washing your hands regularly. You should also avoid sharing personal items such as towels, razors, sports equipment or clothing with others. Anyone living in contact with someone who has an active MRSA infection should wear gloves while caring for them and bathe immediately after handling them.

Treatment and Prevention

Melioidosis is a deadly tropical disease caused by bacteria. The bacteria can be found in soil and water. Symptoms of the disease include fever, chest pain, and difficulty breathing. If left untreated, melioidosis can be fatal. The best way to prevent the disease is to avoid contact with contaminated soil or water. If you must come into contact with contaminated soil or water, be sure to wash your hands thoroughly afterwards. If you develop any symptoms of melioidosis, see a doctor immediately. Antibiotics are effective treatment if given early enough. Patients may need to be hospitalized while they recover from their illness. Since its discovery in 1944, there have been an estimated 100 cases of melioidosis reported every year. Although these numbers represent less than 1% of all bacterial infections worldwide, it's important that more research is done on this rare but dangerous disease so we can learn more about how it spreads and how it can be prevented before it's too late. A study published in 2016 was the first to identify two strains of Burkholderia pseudomallei (the bacteria responsible for the spread of melioidosis) in a northern Florida community. For now, no other instances have been identified outside this one community, but researchers say it doesn't rule out future discoveries elsewhere. 

An outbreak might not seem like such a big deal because most people who get infected with melioidosis make a full recovery, especially if treated early. However, studies show that even patients who make a full recovery are at risk for relapse years later and permanent disability or death from residual complications including heart failure or amputation due to circulation problems associated with the disease.

CDC Response Activities

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is responding to the first confirmed cases of melioidosis in the United States. Melioidosis is a bacterial infection that can be deadly. The CDC is working with state and local health departments to investigate two confirmed cases and one suspected case of melioidosis in three people from Florida. The CDC is also providing guidance to healthcare providers on how to diagnose and treat melioidosis. If you think you have been exposed, contact your doctor immediately. In addition, CDC has issued an alert to laboratories requesting that they notify the agency when melioidosis is detected, including any samples taken in areas where it has not been reported before, such as south Florida. 

The disease is caused by a type of bacteria called Burkholderia pseudomallei and may lead to skin ulcers, septicemia (blood poisoning), pneumonia or respiratory problems if left untreated. There are currently no vaccines or medications available to prevent or cure melioidosis. According to the CDC, it's important for doctors treating people who might have been exposed to take precautions because Burkholderia pseudomallei can spread through droplets from coughing or sneezing, water droplets from washing clothes, water droplets from living near infected animals like bats and birds, eating uncooked foods grown in soil contaminated with animal urine containing B. pseudomallei. A person can also become infected after being bitten by mosquitoes carrying the bacteria. To date, there have been more than 200 documented cases of Burkholderia pseudomallei infections in the continental United States - all associated with travel outside of North America.