Health alert issued over ‘soil fever’

A public health warning has been issued over an outbreak of melioidosis, also known locally as “soil fever’, after three deaths were reported in Maha Sarakham, according to the provincial public health office.

- POST REPORTERS

The disease is caused by the Burkholderia pseudomallei bacterium, commonly found in soil and water, and is most prevalent in the northeast.

Dr Watthana Sriwattana, deputy public health chief of Maha Sarakham, said that melioidosis infections are expected to rise with the arrival of the rainy season and the start of rice farming.

According to epidemiological data from Jan 1 to May 17, the province recorded 24 cases, or at a rate of 2.54 per 100,000 population, with three fatalities. The fatalities occurred in Wapi Pathum district (1) and Muang district (2).

Last year, the province recorded 103 cases, including nine deaths.