On the afternoon of September 27, the Lao Cai Center for Disease Control (CDC) informed that the locality had just recorded a case of Whitmore disease, Mr. N.V.N (born in 1972) in Cam Con commune, Bao Yen district.
Accordingly, in early September, after the flood, Mr. N proceeded to clean up mud and dirt but did not use protective gear, so he suffered injuries and skin abrasions.
After a day, Mr. N had symptoms of mild fever, little cough, then fever, cough gradually increased, headache, muscle and joint pain all over the body, pustules scattered on both legs and back.
On September 23, Mr. N.V.N went to Lao Cai General Hospital for examination and was then transferred to the Infectious Diseases Department for treatment.
According to CDC Lao Cai, when admitted to the hospital, patient N had fever, cough, fatigue, scattered pustules on both legs, arms and back, and positive infection syndrome.
The patient then underwent blood tests, paraclinical tests, bacterial culture samples and identification using an automated system.
Test results on September 26 showed scattered lesions in both lungs, right pleural effusion, and tests detected Burkholderia pseudomallei bacteria (flesh-eating bacteria that cause Whitmore's disease).
In addition, patient N has a history of bronchial asthma, and no one in his family or neighbors has the disease.
Currently, the patient has been transferred to the Central Tropical Hospital for treatment.
Whitmore disease (also known as Melioidosis) is an infection in humans and animals caused by the bacterium Burkholderia Pseudomallei.
Burkholderia Pseudomallei bacteria exist naturally in soil, can contaminate water sources and are transmitted mainly through the skin when open wounds come into direct contact with contaminated soil, mud, or water. There is currently no evidence of human-to-human or animal-to-human transmission.
To prevent Whitmore disease, people need to take measures to ensure personal hygiene, environmental hygiene, and use protective gear when working in contact with contaminated soil, mud, water, or in unsanitary environments.
