Lao Cai discovers case of flesh-eating bacteria after storm No. 3

On September 27, the Center for Disease Control (CDC) of Lao Cai province announced that on September 26, the locality recorded a patient with Whitmore disease residing in Cam Con commune, Bao Yen district, who is being treated at Lao Cai General Hospital.

Patient infected with "flesh-eating" bacteria, causing Whitmore disease while being treated at Lao Cai Provincial General Hospital

According to the investigation, this patient had previously participated in clearing mud after the flood, did not use protective gear, and had skin injuries. After only 1 day, the patient developed a mild fever and a slight cough; then the fever and cough gradually increased, headache, muscle and joint pain throughout the body, and scattered pustules on both legs and back.

On September 23, the patient was admitted to Lao Cai General Hospital for examination and then transferred to the Department of Infectious Diseases for treatment. At the time of admission, the patient had fever, cough, fatigue, scattered pustules on both legs, arms and back, and positive infection syndrome. The patient underwent blood and paraclinical tests, bacterial samples were taken for culture and identification using an automated system.

Paraclinical test results detected scattered lesions in both lungs, right pleural effusion, and tests detected Burkholderia Pseudomallei bacteria (flesh-eating bacteria, causing Whitmore's disease). The patient had a history of bronchial asthma, and no one in the family or surrounding neighbors had the same disease as the patient. The patient was transferred to the Central Hospital for Tropical Diseases for further treatment.

According to CDC Lao Cai, Whitmore (also known as Melioidosis) is an infection in humans and animals caused by the bacteria Burkholderia Pseudomallei. B.pseudomallei bacteria exist naturally in soil, can contaminate water sources and are transmitted mainly through the skin when open wounds come into direct contact with contaminated soil, mud, or water. There is currently no evidence of the bacteria being transmitted from person to person or from animal to person. Whitmore is a disease for which there is no specific vaccine.

Also according to CDC Lao Cai, since the beginning of September, many areas in this locality have been heavily flooded after storm No. 3, so the risk of people contracting Whitmore disease may increase if appropriate protective measures are not taken.

To prevent Whitmore disease, CDC Lao Cai recommends that people need to ensure personal hygiene, environmental hygiene, use labor protection when working in contact with soil, mud, contaminated water or in unsanitary environments, clean and disinfect contaminated skin tears, scratches or burns, and eat cooked food and drink boiled water.

According to the Ministry of Health , in August and September, a number of hospitals across the country recorded cases of Whitmore disease, especially in localities affected by flooding after storm No. 3.

Source: https://thanhnien.vn/lao-cai-phat-hien-ca-benh-nhiem-khuo-an-thit-nguoi-sau-mua-bao-so-3-185240927181722197.htm