Melioidosis

• Recent studies have highlighted a rise in melioidosis cases in Odisha, emphasizing South Asia’s significant share of global cases. A collaborative effort between microbiologists and climate scientists is underway to analyze the environmental factors influencing disease transmission.

About Melioidosis

• Melioidosis is a bacterial infection caused by Burkholderia pseudomallei.
• It spreads through contact with contaminated soil or water.
• Symptoms range from mild skin infections to severe pneumonia.
• In severe cases, fatality rates can reach up to 50%, making early detection crucial.
• Environmental Factors & Disease Spread
• The bacteria’s survival is influenced by rainfall, temperature, and monsoon patterns.
• The disease peaks during and after monsoons, linking climatic changes to infection rates.

Key Research Findings

• AIIMS Bhubaneswar and IIT Bhubaneswar conducted a study analyzing nine years of meteorological data alongside reported cases.
• A risk map was created, identifying high-risk districts like Cuttack, Balasore, Khordha, and Jajpur, where human exposure is significant.