Melioidosis outbreak sparks concern in Telugu states, 20 deaths in Andhra village
HYDERABAD: A rare bacterial disease called melioidosis is spreading concern across the Telugu states, doctors have warned. The illness, caused by Burkholderia pseudomallei bacteria, mimics common fever with cough and joint pain but can turn fatal if untreated.
The bacteria thrive in wet soil and muddy water. Infection occurs either when contaminated mud enters through cracks or wounds in the feet, or when moisture-laden air carries the bacteria into the body. Farmers and agricultural labourers are the most exposed during monsoon.
Doctors noted that not everyone working in agriculture is at risk. The disease mainly affects people with low immunity, such as diabetics, kidney and cancer patients, and heavy alcohol users. Routine blood and urine tests cannot detect melioidosis; only pus and blood culture tests conducted in microbiology labs can confirm it. In rural areas, lack of such facilities is delaying diagnosis, causing the disease to progress to life-threatening stages.
Every year, dozens of cases are recorded in NIMS, Osmania and Gandhi hospitals. “Many patients come late with advanced infection, making recovery difficult even with antibiotics,” said doctors.
Symptoms often mistaken for pneumonia
Melioidosis symptoms vary depending on the route of infection. About 80% of cases present with fever and chills, joint pain, respiratory problems, cough and chest pain — often mistaken for pneumonia. Patients infected through soil or water also develop skin nodules, pus discharge, pain, diarrhoea and in severe cases, septic shock or seizures.
Doctors urged people not to ignore persistent fever, cough or skin infections. “Patients should undergo blood culture or pus tests in hospitals with microbiology departments if symptoms persist,” experts said.
Treatment in two stages
Treatment involves two stages of antibiotics. In the initial stage, drugs like ceftazidime or meropenem are administered intravenously for 10–14 days. In the eradication stage, oral antibiotics such as co-trimoxazole and doxycycline are given for three to six months. Delayed treatment, however, often leads to death as the bacteria spread into the blood, causing sepsis.
At NIMS, microbiology specialists including Dr Uma Bala and Dr Padmaja are conducting diagnostic tests. Treatment is also available under the Aarogyasri scheme.
High fatality rates, study finds
A NIMS study on 12 melioidosis patients showed that 58% died within 15 months. Most were middle-aged farmers with diabetes. The disease was found to affect lungs, bones, liver, skin, soft tissue, brain and kidneys. Researchers stressed the need for awareness among rural doctors.
Outbreak in Andhra Pradesh
The disease has created panic in Andhra Pradesh’s Guntur district, where 20 people in Turakapalem village died within two months with suspected symptoms. The state government has declared a health emergency, collected samples, and begun providing food and drinking water to prevent further spread.
