CaliToday (17/9/2025):
Đắk Lắk, Vietnam – A recent death has been reported in the Central Highlands province of Đắk Lắk due to Whitmore's disease, a dangerous infectious illness caused by the bacterium Burkholderia pseudomallei. The disease, also known as melioidosis, is colloquially referred to as the "flesh-eating bacteria" because of its ability to cause severe tissue necrosis.
The victim was identified as a 50-year-old male residing in Krông Pắc district. According to health officials, the patient was admitted to the Central Highlands General Hospital with severe symptoms, including high fever and a swollen, abscess-filled leg. Despite intensive medical efforts, his condition deteriorated rapidly, leading to his death. It was reported that the patient had underlying health conditions, a common factor that increases susceptibility to severe infections from this bacterium.
This recent fatality has heightened public health concerns in the region, particularly as the rainy season can increase exposure to the soil and water-borne pathogen.
Understanding Whitmore's Disease (Melioidosis)
Whitmore's disease is a serious and often underdiagnosed illness endemic to Southeast Asia and Northern Australia. It is caused by the bacterium Burkholderia pseudomallei, which thrives in contaminated soil, mud, and stagnant water.
Transmission: Humans typically become infected through direct contact with the contaminated source, often via cuts or abrasions in the skin. Infection can also occur through inhalation of contaminated dust or water droplets, or ingestion of contaminated water. The disease is not considered to be directly transmissible from person to person.
Symptoms: The disease is known as a "great mimicker" because its symptoms can be non-specific and resemble other common illnesses like pneumonia or tuberculosis. Symptoms can manifest in various ways depending on the site of infection:
Localized Infection: May present as a skin ulcer or abscess, accompanied by fever and muscle aches.
Pulmonary Infection: Can cause a cough, chest pain, high fever, and headache, often mistaken for pneumonia.
Bloodstream Infection (Septicemia): This is the most severe form, leading to septic shock, with symptoms including high fever, respiratory distress, severe headache, joint pain, and disorientation.
Disseminated Infection: The bacteria can spread throughout the body, causing abscesses in internal organs such as the liver, spleen, or prostate.
Risk Factors and Mortality: Individuals with underlying medical conditions are at a significantly higher risk of contracting and developing a severe form of the disease. Major risk factors include:
Diabetes
Chronic kidney disease
Liver disease
Thalassemia
Cancer or other immunosuppressive conditions
The mortality rate for Whitmore's disease is high, ranging from 10% to 50%, especially if diagnosis is delayed or if the patient has a severe form like septicemia.
Public Health Advisory and Prevention
Health authorities in Đắk Lắk have issued warnings, urging citizens, particularly those in high-risk groups, to take precautions. The peak season for Whitmore's disease often coincides with the rainy months when farming activities and exposure to wet soil increase.
Key preventive measures include:
Avoid Exposure: Limit direct contact with soil and standing water, especially for those with open wounds.
Use Protective Gear: Wear boots and gloves when farming, gardening, or doing any work that involves contact with soil and water.
Proper Wound Care: Thoroughly clean any skin abrasions or wounds with soap and water, especially after exposure to potentially contaminated environments.
Seek Early Medical Attention: Individuals who develop symptoms like persistent fever, skin sores, or respiratory issues after being in contact with soil or muddy water should seek immediate medical evaluation and inform their doctor of the potential exposure.
Early diagnosis and appropriate, long-term antibiotic treatment are critical for survival. Treatment typically involves an initial intensive phase of intravenous antibiotics followed by a prolonged course of oral antibiotics to fully eradicate the bacteria.
