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Burkholderia Pseudomallei
What is it?
Melioidosis is a disease of humans and animals that is caused by the bacterium Burkholderia pseudomallei, a small gram negative aerobic bacillus. While Burkholderia pseudomallei is found around the world in warm and humid environments, it is most frequently found in Southeast Asia and northern Australia, including the Top End in the Northern Territory, North Queensland, and the Kimberley region of Western Australia. The bacteria are found in soil and water and cases of Melioidosis can occur during the wet season (October to April) and after heavy rain and flooding.
Queensland is currently experiencing an unprecedented melioidosis outbreak, with 125 confirmed cases and 20 deaths reported since the start of the wet season.
Signs and Symptoms
Symptoms of melioidosis include fever, cough, and pneumonia, which is the most common clinical presentation and can range from a mild respiratory illness to severe pneumonia. Melioidosis is rare in people who are healthy, and most people exposed to the bacteria do not get sick. However, if not treated quickly people can develop severe illness including sepsis, non-healing skin ulcers and death.
Symptoms usually start between 1-21 days after infection, and can last for 2 or more months.
How is it transmitted?
Burkholderia pseudomallei is found in the soil and emerges as a health concern during the wet season when bacteria in muddy waters surfaces following heavy rainfall or floods. The bacteria can enter the body through breaks in the skin (cuts, abrasions or open sores), inhalation of contaminated particles, and ingestion of contaminated water. While both humans and animals can get melioidosis, the bacteria do not spread from people or animals, and in healthcare settings standard precautions is required.
At risk groups
Melioidosis can occur in people of all ages, although cases are most common in adults aged between 40 – 60 years. At-risk populations include people living with chronic health conditions, including diabetes, cancer, chronic lung or kidney disease, the immunocompromised and people with high alcohol intake1,4,5.
Prevention?
General prevention measures can be taken to prevent melioidosis infection, including; avoiding contact with soil or muddy water after periods of heavy rain, using rubber gloves or waterproof footwear while working or gardening outdoors and covering open wounds to prevent contact with contaminated water or soil.
There is no vaccination available to prevent melioidosis infection.
References
- Health direct. Meliodosis. Healthdirect Australia Limited, . Updated February 2025. Accessed March 2025, 2025. https://www.healthdirect.gov.au/melioidosis
- Victorian Department of Health. Melioidosis. Victorian Department of Health Updated 8 October 2015. Accessed March, 2025. https://www.health.vic.gov.au/infectious-diseases/melioidosis
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Meliodosis and Cases Around the World. U.S. Department of Health and human Services. Accessed March 2025, 2025. https://www.cdc.gov/melioidosis/risk-factors/index.html
- Queensland Health. Melioidosis. Queensland Government. Updated 10 August 2023. Accessed March, 2025. https://www.qld.gov.au/health/condition/infections-and-parasites/bacterial-infections/melioidosis
- Northern Territory Government. Melioidosis. Northern Territory Government. Updated https://nt.gov.au/wellbeing/health-conditions-treatments/bacterial/melioidosis. Accessed March, 2025. https://nt.gov.au/wellbeing/health-conditions-treatments/bacterial/melioidosis
- Loney G. Doctors on high alert as melioidosis death toll rises to 20 in Queensland. Webpage. ABC news. March, 2025. Updated 18 March 2025. Accessed 20 March, 2025. https://www.abc.net.au/news/2025-03-18/queensland-melioidosis-death-toll-reaches-20/105065044
- Chakravorty A, Heath CH. Melioidosis: An updated review. Aust J Gen Pract. May 2019;48(5):327-332. doi:10.31128/ajgp-04-18-4558