United States: A Recent state news revealed that Melioidosis claimed the life of an elderly person due to contaminated water, after which medical services issued flood-related protection advisories for North Queensland residents.
More about the news
According to Townsville Public Health Unit information, an elderly person passed away from melioidosis during the previous week as the dengue virus triggered three new cases.
Dr Steven Donohue, as director, reported that melioidosis cases rose throughout the wet season and during the major rainy period that followed the February flooding, Yahoo News reported.
“Melioidosis is a very serious infectious disease which is caused by soil bacteria in northern Australia,” Dr Donohue stated.
“It can enter the body when a break in the skin comes into contact with contaminated water or by breathing in muddy droplets, causing pneumonia,” he added.
What are the symptoms?
An outbreak of the infectious disease results in fever alongside cough, chest pain, weight loss, muscle pain, and headaches, which typically emerge within days or weeks after patients are exposed to the bacteria.
Doctors identify this disease by analyzing blood or urine samples and administering antibiotics as the treatment method.
Dr Donohue emphasized that people should exercise caution when they participate in flood cleanup tasks.
“It’s important to wear gloves, shoes, and protective clothing when coming into contact with soil or floodwater, and you should wear a mask if you’re pressure hosing mud to prevent inhaling germs in droplets,” he continued, as Yahoo News reported.
He also mentioned the necessary precautions against dengue fever, whereas the risk “remains low.”
“Use a zapper or mosquito coil, keep screens shut to prevent mosquitoes entering your home, remove pooled water where they can breed, and wear protective clothing and repellent to prevent bites,” he added.