Is melioidosis a fungus?
Melioidosis is an infectious disease caused by a bacterium, Burkholderia pseudomallei. Melioidosis causes a wide range of manifestations in the body. Melioidosis is an infectious disease. It is caused by direct contact with water and soil contaminated with Burkholderia pseudomallei.
How do you get melioidosis?
Humans and animals are believed to acquire the infection by inhalation of contaminated dust or water droplets, ingestion of contaminated water, and ingestion of soil-contaminated food or other contact with contaminated soil, especially through skin abrasions.
How long can you live with melioidosis?
Without treatment, it can kill within 48 hours.
Can dogs get melioidosis?
Animals can acquire melioidosis is a number of ways. The soil can serve as a source of infection if it is ingested, or if contaminated soil comes in contact with skin wounds. Animals can also be infected after feeding on the carcasses of infected animals. In some cases, animals are infected after inhaling the organism.
Can melioidosis spread from human to human?
Melioidosis is minimally contagious. It can be spread from person to person, though it is rare. The most common route of infection with melioidosis is through direct contact with contaminated soil and water, especially though open wounds on the skin.
Can melioidosis be cured?
When a melioidosis infection is diagnosed, the disease can be treated with the use of appropriate medication. The type of infection and the course of treatment will impact long-term outcome.
Is melioidosis contagious?
Melioidosis is a highly contagious disease primarily infecting people in areas with agriculture and farming.
What animals can get melioidosis?
Melioidosis occurs most commonly in sheep, goats, and pigs; other affected species include cattle, buffalo, horses, mules, deer, camels, alpacas, dogs, cats, dolphins, wallabies, koalas, human and nonhuman primates, birds, tropical fish, and reptiles.
How serious is melioidosis?
Melioidosis can be a serious disease. Melioidosis germs are naturally resistant to many commonly used antibiotics, which makes the disease difficult to treat. There are a few antibiotics that are effective, though. Without treatment, up to 9 out of every 10 people who get it die.