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Endemic Melioidosis in Southern China: Past and Present
Xiao Zheng1,2, Qianfeng Xia3, Lianxu Xia4
1State Key Laboratory for Infectious Disease Prevention and Control, Collaborative Innovation Center for Diagnosis and Treatment of Infectious Diseases, National Institute for Communicable Disease Control and Prevention, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Beijing 102206, China. zhengxiao@icdc.cn.
Abstract:
Melioidosis is a severe tropical infectious disease caused by the soil-dwelling bacterium Burkholderia pseudomallei, predominantly endemic to Southeast Asia and northern Australia. Between the 1970s and the 1990s, the presence of B. pseudomallei causing melioidosis in humans and other animals was demonstrated in four coastal provinces in southern China: Hainan, Guangdong, Guangxi, and Fujian, although indigenous cases were rare and the disease failed to raise concern amongst local and national health authorities. In recent years, there has been a rise in the number of melioidosis cases witnessed in the region, particularly in Hainan. Meanwhile, although China has established and maintained an effective communicable disease surveillance system, it has not yet been utilized for melioidosis. Thus, the overall incidence, social burden and epidemiological features of the disease in China remain unclear. In this context, we present a comprehensive overview of both historical and current information on melioidosis in Southern China, highlighting the re-emergence of the disease in Hainan. Surveillance and management strategies for melioidosis should be promoted in mainland China, and more research should be conducted to provide further insights into the present situation.
Insights
Melioidosis, a severe infectious disease caused by Burkholderia pseudomallei, is re-emerging in Southern China, especially Hainan. Enhanced surveillance and management strategies are crucial for this neglected tropical disease.
Area of Science:
- Tropical infectious diseases
- Bacteriology
- Epidemiology
Background:
- Melioidosis is a severe tropical infectious disease caused by Burkholderia pseudomallei.
- The disease is endemic to Southeast Asia and northern Australia.
- Cases were reported in Southern China between the 1970s-1990s but received little attention.
Purpose of the Study:
- To provide a comprehensive overview of melioidosis in Southern China.
- To highlight the re-emergence of melioidosis, particularly in Hainan.
- To emphasize the need for improved surveillance and management strategies.
Main Methods:
- Review of historical and current information on melioidosis in Southern China.
- Analysis of the disease's epidemiological features.
- Assessment of the current surveillance system's applicability.
Main Results:
- A rise in melioidosis cases has been observed in recent years, notably in Hainan.
- Despite an effective communicable disease surveillance system in China, it has not been utilized for melioidosis.
- The overall incidence, social burden, and epidemiological features of melioidosis in China remain unclear.
Conclusions:
- Melioidosis surveillance and management strategies should be promoted in mainland China.
- Further research is needed to understand the current situation of melioidosis in China.
- Addressing melioidosis is essential for public health in the region.
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