Beware of life-threatening disease when walking through muddy water

THE widely-followed Panda Lab Doctor Facebook page warned people walking through muddy water amid the current heavy flooding in many parts of the country that they risk getting Melioidosis, also called Whitmore’s disease, a life-threatening infection, Sanook.com said today (Oct. 12).

Mr. Pakphum Dejhassadin, a medical technologist who runs the popular Panda Lab Doctor page, said this infection is prevalent during the rainy season and if diagnosed too late it might lead to death.

The disease is caused by the bacteria Burkholderia pseudomallei or B. pseudomallei and is ubiquitous in soil, water, and air. It enters our body through wounds or inhaling dust from contaminated soil.

Those at greatest risk are farmers because they regularly walk through muddy water.

Or maybe it could be us because during the current floods the bacteria could enter a wound in our skin that may then ulcerate, turn purulent and swollen with many symptoms. Or if inhaled it could infect the lungs and cause it to become inflamed.

It could even enter the bloodstream of those with low immunity, he warned.

Pakphum urged people to wear boots if they have to walk through floodwater or stand in it to direct traffic as policemen do but try to avoid doing so altogether if possible.

Try not to get wounds on the feet and wash your arms and legs after work.

Those who have waded through muddy water and then develop fever should quickly see a doctor for timely medical treatment, he urged.

CAPTIONS:

Top: A heavily-flooded Bangkok road during torrential rain early last month. Photo: Thai Rath

Insert and Front Page: Mr. Pakphum Dejhassadin, a medical technologist who runs the popular Panda Lab Doctor Facebook page. Photos: Sanook.com

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