Whitmore cases surge in central provinces amid typhoons
The number of newly reported cases of Whitmore's disease in some central provinces has increased sharply in the context of typhoons and floods severely affecting the region.
Since October, the Hue Central Hospital has received 28 Whitmore's patients, with some 50% of them from Nam Dinh, Thanh Hoa, Quang Binh, Ha Tinh and Quang Tri provinces. The rest were from Thua Thien-Hue Province’s Phu Loc, Phu Vang, Quang Dien, Phong Dien and Huong Thuy districts.
Admitting that the figure is alarming, a representative of Hue Central Hospital said the hospital received only 83 Whitmore cases between 2014 and 2019 and 11 between January and September 2020.
Many of the patients were hospitalized after reaching the late stages of the disease, resulting in ineffective treatment and high costs.
The fatal Whitmore's disease, also known as Melioidosis, has a wide range of symptoms, such as prolonged fever, cold, respiratory failure, pneumonia and skin ulcers.
Humans and animals can catch the disease through direct exposure to soil and water sources contaminated with a bacterium called Burkholderia pseudomallei, especially through minor cuts.
To prevent Whitmore's disease, people have been advised to restrict direct contact with contaminated water and soil. People with open wounds, skin ulcers and burns have been told to avoid exposing themselves to potentially contaminated water and soil.
Locals have also been encouraged to immediately visit medical centers for health exams and treatment if they have these symptoms.