- Authorities in Singapore have expressed concern about
the rising death toll from the tropical disease melioidosis.
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- Twenty-three of the 57 people diagnosed with the
soil-born
disease from January to July died, health officials said.
-
- This pointed to a mortality rate of 47% - three times
as much as with the deadly respiratory infection Sars.
-
- The high death toll led officials to investigate whether
Singapore may have been targeted by a biological warfare attack - but this
was ruled out.
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- Melioidosis is listed by the US government as a potential
bacteriological weapon.
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- No vaccine
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- The disease is most common in South-East Asia and
northern
Australia.
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- It is caused by bacteria that enter the body when
contaminated
dust is inhaled or when bruised skin comes into contact with contaminated
soil.
-
- The infection can spread from the skin through the blood
to the heart, brain, liver, kidneys, joints, and eyes.
-
- There is no vaccine for melioidosis. It can be treated
with antibiotics if detected early.
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- Singapore has an annual average of 67 cases and 12 deaths
from the disease.
-
- The authorities have given no reason for this year's
rise.
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- During the Sars outbreak in Asia from late 2002 to
mid-2003,
Singapore recorded 33 deaths from the viral respiratory infection.
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- © BBC MMIV
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- http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/asia-pacific/3667834.stm
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