Melioidosis is an infectious disease caused by a certain bacteria found in contaminated water and soil. The disease is not an emerging disease in Thailand due to the fact that it is a disease of tropical climates. Humans and many animal species are susceptible to this disease. People get Melioidosis through ingestion of contaminated water, direct contact with contaminated soil, through open skin wounds and inhalation of contaminated dust or droplets.

In 2016, there were 3,108 Melioidosis cases with 9 deaths in Thailand. In 2017, Department of Disease Control has forecasted increasing number of cases and deaths given 747 notified cases of Melioidosis with 9 deaths between 1 January 2017 and 17 March 2017. The morbidity rate equals to 1.14 per 100,000 population. Most cases were Thai and around 50% of cases were in agriculture sector. Male to female ratio was 1 to 0.61. Top-three highest cases by age group were 45-54 years old (27.44%), 55-64 years old (24.90%), and >65 years old (20.62%). Morbidity rates by region were 2.95/100,000 population in the northeast, 0.37/100,000 population in the south, 0.32/100,000 population in the north, and 0.13/100,000 population in the central. Out of nine reported deaths, four were from the northeast, four from the south and one from the north.

More Information on Melioidosis, please visit https://www.cdc.gov/melioidosis/