Melioidosis is a disease caused by the bacterium Burkholderia pseudomallei, which typically resides harmlessly in soil and freshwater. However, it becomes harmful when it infects humans or animals. The “mud bug” bacteria enter the human body through cuts, scratches, or by inhaling small water droplets containing the bacteria. Additionally, people can contract this disease by consuming water contaminated with the bacteria.
The symptoms of melioidosis usually appear one to four weeks after a person becomes infected with the bacteria. Melioidosis causes major health issues, including skin ulcers and pneumonia resulting from a lung infection. The disease is characterized by various symptoms, including chest and muscle pain, confusion, difficulty breathing, severe headache, high fever, and seizures. A severe bloodstream infection occurs when the bacteria enter the bloodstream, but this is extremely rare.
Treatment involves intravenous antibiotics administered in a hospital for several weeks, followed by oral antibiotics for six months. Physicians often took several days to diagnose melioidosis by culturing the bacteria from patient samples. Studies revealed that 165,000 individuals are affected by melioidosis and 89,000 deaths every year.
Melioidosis is most prevalent in Southeast Asia, with Thailand reporting the highest number of cases. The medical community often misdiagnoses Melioidosis because its symptoms resemble other diseases. The reported numbers for infections probably do not match the total number of people who contracted these infections. With minimal lab facilities, the disease diagnosis became more difficult in resource-deprived rural regions.
The Northern Territory and Queensland are the regions in Australia with the highest frequency of melioidosis infections. The annual number of infections in Queensland is around 30 cases, while the Northern Territory experiences 42 occurrences annually. In Australia, melioidosisis often successfully treated, resulting in a low mortality rate. The death rate has been approximated at less than 10%. The death rate in Thailand reaches as high as 40% because the country lacks adequate resources. The risk of acquiring melioidosis is higher for patients having diabetes and those diagnosed with cancer or suffering from renal or liver disease. In Australia, First Nations people have a higher infection rate of melioidosis compared to non-Indigenous Australians. The condition has a higher impact on older adults, as well as those who suffer from chronic underlying diseases.
Recent cases were reported across Queensland regions such as Townsville and Cairns because of increased rainfall and flood levels. The mud and soil-based growth of Burkholderia pseudomallei became more widespread when the flood allowed the bacteria to grow close to the surface. The Northern Territory reported 28 cases between the start of October last year and today, with fewer numbers than before.
Precautionary measures include avoiding contact with water and mud, as well as wearing protective gloves, boots, and other gear. Wear protective clothing, ensure wounds are covered, and wear a mask when engaging in activities near the water.
Experts are working with the WHO authorities to identify melioidosis as a neglected tropical disease while conducting research on vaccine development. Public awareness of melioidosis needs to be improved because the disease is expected to spread due to climate change and shifting weather patterns.
References: Thomas jeffries. There’s an outbreak of melioidosis in north Queensland. Here’s what to know about this deadly ‘mud bug’. Published February 24, 2025. Accessed February 25, 2025. There’s an outbreak of melioidosis in north Queensland. Here’s what to know about this deadly ‘mud bug’
