Udupi: Meliodosys, the bacteria caused disease that affects the farmers

By Snehalatha, Udupi
Bellevision Media Network

Udupi, 07 Nov 2012: This is not a new disease, neither one should be afraid, but negligence should be avoided.  Meliodosys that had made its appearance nearly a decade ago has struck some of the people including children in the coastal region  this year  as well. This disease is common among the people  who come in close contact with mud especially in the paddy fields.  This disease is caused by Burcolderia Sevdomalay bacteria which lives in mud and affect the farmers working in fields.

 

Meliodosys is not a fatal disease as treatment is available in India. However, it is important that the symptoms of the disease should be recognized in time and proper treatment should be done.

 

   

 

While working in the fields, if there are wounds or bruises in the legs, the bacteria enters the blood stream. Those persons with diabetes, kidney problem, cancer, lungs problem become easy victims of the disease.

 

In Goa, Karwar, Udupi , Dakshina Kannada and coastal regions of Kerala this disease has been common  every year soon after the monsoon season.  Meliodosys has been found in Australia, Thailand, Malaysia, Burma, Vietnam and Singapore. Though this disease causing bacteria has been found  commonly in the soil of Australia, the people associated with agriculture use boots and gloves while undertaking agricultural activities and hence  become less victims of this disease.

 

In the district of Udupi Meliodosys has been affecting the farmers in the villages of Brahmavara, Kaup and Udyavara. A number of cases have come to light recently from these regions. Recently, experts from Thailand and England have found the presence of the bacteria  in the soil of Udyavara.

 

The initial symptoms of Meliodosys are  like those of pneumonia and tuberculosis (TB). Fever, joint and muscle pain, etc. As the doctors are not completely aware of the Meliodosys  disease they commonly treat the patients using the same line of treatment as those of pneumonia and TB. According to Dr. Chiranjay, head of the Microbiology Department of KMC, Manipal, nearly 25 percent of the victims of Meliodosys succumb to the disease due to wrong treatment.

 

Though Meliodosys made an entry into the list of bacteria caused diseases just ten years ago, its treatment is still in the experimental stage.  Out of 25-30 patients of this disease admitted to the KMC  Hospital every year, 5-6 persons die due to this disease. Presently, only in KMC Hospitals in Manipal and Mangalore treatment for Meliodosys is available.