Loading...
Melioidosis consists of necrotizing pneumonia with spread to other systems, is caused by Burkholderia pseudomallei, and was first noted in the 1960's among military personnel returning from war in Southeast Asia where the organism is common in water and soil. In the U.S., melioidosis is rare (about 12 cases a year) and has been overwhelmingly associated with travel to Asia. In the few cases not involving travel, analysis of isolates strongly suggests exposure to material imported from Asia.
Now, the CDC reports four cases of melioidosis (in four different states) in which travel to Asia — or exposure to anyone who had traveled there — was denied. Two cases occurred in children (one who died, and the other who had long-term neurologic sequela…