A recent study by microbiologists at AIIMS Bhubaneswar and climate scientists at IIT Bhubaneswar, published in Current Research in Microbial Sciences, has identified environmental factors that influence the occurrence of melioidosis in Odisha.
Key Findings of the Study
- Key Finding of the Study
- Infections peak during and after the monsoon season, indicating a strong link between rainfall, humidity, and temperature.
- Heavy rainfall likely washes bacteria from soil into water sources, increasing human exposure.
- Cause & Mode of Transmission of Melioidosis
- Melioidosis is caused by Burkholderia pseudomallei, a soil- and water-dwelling bacteria.
- The disease spreads through inhalation, ingestion, or direct contact with contaminated soil or water.
- Farmers and people in flood-prone areas are at higher risk due to frequent soil and water exposure.
- Burden of the Disease in India
- A 2016 Lancet study estimated that 165,000 people contract melioidosis worldwide annually.
- South Asia (including India) contributes 44% of the global burden.
- Fatality rates can reach 50% in severe cases of sepsis.
- Odisha’s Environmental Risk Factors
- Vast agricultural lands and extreme weather events provide ideal conditions for B. pseudomallei survival.
- Prolonged high humidity and water stagnation allow the bacteria to thrive.
- Odisha’s monsoon and post-monsoon climate create an environment where the bacteria can spread more easily.
(Source: The Hindu)
