Office of Disease Prevention and Control 12, Songkhla Province, emphasizes people in the lower southern region. Get to know melioidosis (Melioidosis), endemic disease that is fatal. Advise to avoid contact with soil and water. when there is a wound not walking barefoot Wear long boots when wading in water. and drink water from clean sources or boiled water. If there is a fever with a history of unprotected exposure to soil or natural water sources See a doctor immediately and report the risk history.
melioidosis Melioidosis is an infectious disease caused by bacteria. Burkholderia pseudomallei (Burkholderia pseudomallei), which can be found in soil and water, rice fields, fields, vegetable plots, rubber plantations all over Thailand. Found a lot of cases reported during the rainy season (Oct.-Dec.) It is an endemic disease with sporadic cases throughout the year. The patients tend to get the infection that is in the soil and water. Can be contacted in 3 ways:
1. Through a wound on the skin
2. Breathe in the dust from soil or water that has contaminated germs.
3. Drinking or eating food contaminated with the infection
The incubation period for the infection is 1-21 days, in some cases it can be up to a year. The infected person will have a wide range of symptoms until they are asymptomatic. Patients often have acute or chronic fevers with no known cause, necrosis, ulcers, abscesses, pus in the lungs, liver, spleen, chronic inflammation. This causes a bloodstream infection with severe symptoms and rapid death. Most of the people who are at risk of this disease are those in occupations that have direct contact with soil and water, such as farmers and fisheries. Especially people with chronic illnesses, diabetes or chronic alcohol dependence are at higher risk of severe disease.
for the melioidosis situation in the 7 southern provinces From Reporting System 506 Division of Epidemiology Between 1 Jan. ’22 and 5 May ’22, a total of 11 cases of this disease were found, 2 deaths, morbidity rate 18.2%, the highest number of cases in Phatthalung and Songkhla provinces, 5 each, and Narathiwat 1 case, 8 males and 3 females, aged 40-70 years (median age 52 years), the occupation with the highest cases found was agriculture at 36.4%, followed by housework and employment at 18.2%. The two deceased lived in Songkhla province. The results of the disease investigation revealed risk factors for melioidosis. is diabetic and has a history of direct contact with soil from gardening walk barefoot and planting trees without proper protective equipment.
From the survey of people’s knowledge and behavior regarding melioidosis In the area of Chinko Subdistrict, Singhanakhon District, Songkhla Province, by the Office of Disease Prevention and Control 12, Songkhla Province in December 2021, 277 people found that the respondents
71.48% had never heard of melioidosis
42.24 percent were unaware of melioidosis. cause death
74.37% know that people with diabetes When sick, the symptoms are more severe than normal people.
As for disease prevention behaviors, it was found that most while working or doing soil-related activities, 45.12% did not wear gloves, 55.23% did not wear boots, and 61.01% did not use a mask.
Therefore, it should be emphasized that people should wear gloves. Wear a cloth mask or a hygienic mask. Every time when working or doing activities that come into contact with soil or mud wear boots Every time you soak in the water, wade in the water, and trample on mud to prevent melioidosis, there should be communication and public relations for people at risk, especially those with diabetes, to receive information through a chronic disease clinic. and communicate among farmers through the Bank for Agriculture and Agricultural Cooperatives in the area
Sor Kor.12 Songkhla recommends methods for preventing melioidosis, including:
1. Those with wounds should avoid wading through mud or touching soil and water directly. If necessary, wear boots, rubber gloves, long pants or wading clothes and quickly cleanse your body with soap and water.
2. If there is a wound on the skin The wound should be cleaned promptly. And avoid contact with soil and water until the wound is completely dry.
3. Eat cooked food drink boiled water 4. Avoid exposure to wind, dust. and living in the rain
if in doubt You can ask for more information at the Department of Disease Control hotline, call 1422.
