Explainer | Melioidosis outbreak in Hong Kong: where is it coming from and how can you protect yourself?
- An unusually high number of melioidosis cases has been reported in city since August, with a cluster in Sham Shui Po district
- So far 34 cases have been recorded in Hong Kong and authorities have plans and strategies to contain the spread
Hong Kong has been dealing with a mysterious spate of melioidosis cases since August, with a cluster emerging in the Sham Shui Po district.
The Post takes a look at what health authorities have found out so far and what residents should do about it.
1. What is melioidosis?
Melioidosis is an infectious disease caused by the bacterium Burkholderia pseudomallei, which is abundant in soils, especially moist clay, and muddy water.
It is usually spread through contact with contaminated soil or surface water, especially via skin abrasions and wounds, as well as inhaling contaminated dust or water droplets and drinking contaminated water. While person-to-person transmission is uncommon, it can happen through contact with the blood or body fluids of an infected individual.
Melioidosis can manifest as conditions such as a localised infection, pneumonia, meningoencephalitis and sepsis, which is an extreme response to infections where the immune system starts to attack healthy tissue. Depending on the location of infection, symptoms include fever, headache, cough, chest pain, ulceration and localised pain or swelling.
The incubation period commonly ranges from two to four weeks. The fatality rate is between 40 and 75 per cent. It can be treated with antibiotics, but there is no vaccine targeting the bacteria.
People with underlying diseases including diabetes, lung disease, liver disease, renal disease, cancer, or immunosuppression are more likely to be infected. Workers in agricultural, laboratory and healthcare are also susceptible to exposure.
