2 weeks Ago By Mohamad Al-As
KUALA LUMPUR: Agriculture and logging activities are drawing out bacteria from deep beneath the soil, contributing to incidences of melioidosis — a rare but fatal disease.Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia Biological Sciences and Biotechnology Department senior lecturer Sylvia Chieng said the bacterium, Burkholderia pseudomallei, could be brought to the surface when soil was disturbed.She said this increased the risk of infection through direct contact or inhalation.
Chieng said one study in Kedah found that areas impacted by commercial farming and deforestation had higher melioidosis prevalence than those near untouched forests."This highlights the impact of human activities on environmental contamination of B. pseudomallei," she said.
Agriculture and logging activities, which reduce natural vegetation that otherwise absorbs rainfall, have long been accused of worsening floods and expanding flood-prone areas.Ironically, Chieng said, melioidosis cases tended to rise during the rainy season as floodwaters carried the bacteria to the surface.She cited a 2010 outbreak in Lubuk Yu, Pahang, where the bacteria were detected in soil samples following a flood rescue mission.
Melioidosis, which carries diverse symptoms resembling those of other diseases, including skin infections, severe pneumonia and septicaemia, can be fatal.The disease is more dangerous for those with comorbidities. More than 75 per cent of those who contracted melioidosis also had diabetes.
A 2015 study found the disease was widespread in at least 48 countries in South Asia, Africa and Latin America.In Malaysia, the latest National Surveillance for Antibiotic Resistance data indicates that the highest rates of melioidosis incidence are in Pahang (11.33 per 100,000 population), followed by Melaka, Negri Sembilan, Kedah and Terengganu.
PREVENTABLE DISEASEHealth Minister Datuk Seri Dr Dzulkefly Ahmad said those working in high-risk environments, such as padi fields and plantations, must take steps to prevent melioidosis."Preventive measures are crucial in reducing the risk of infection, especially for those frequently exposed to soil and potentially contaminated water."He advised wearing protective gear, such as boots and gloves, when working in fields or waterlogged areas.
Dzulkefly also stressed the importance of hygiene after outdoor activities."Wash your hands and feet with soap after engaging in outdoor activities, and ensure wounds or scratches are properly covered before coming into contact with soil or water," he said.He said those who developed symptoms after potential exposure should seek immediate medical attention.
Chieng said the treatment for melioidosis included an intensive phase with intravenous antibiotics, followed by a prolonged eradication phase with oral antibiotics.Despite treatment, the fatality rate ranges between 33 per cent and 54 per cent due to the bacteria's resistance to antibiotics.There is currently no vaccine for melioidosis.
Chieng added that a lack of awareness among healthcare personnel and the public could lead to late or incorrect diagnoses.Limited healthcare access, especially in rural areas, further complicates diagnosis and treatment.Chieng said there was a need for greater awareness, improved diagnostic capabilities and better healthcare infrastructure to combat the rising threat of melioidosis in Malaysia.
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