Russian travelers planning summer vacations abroad are being warned about the potential threat of melioidosis, a rare but severe infection. The disease, which shares similar symptoms with tuberculosis, can rapidly progress and lead to death within days.
Melioidosis is primarily found in Southeast Asia and tropical regions, including Thailand, India, China, Vietnam, Malaysia, Singapore, the Philippines, the Maldives, some African countries like Madagascar and the Democratic Republic of the Congo, and Central and South America, such as Mexico, Brazil, and Puerto Rico. Infection can occur through contaminated water, soil, food, and even air.
According to Ksenia Potselueva, an infectious disease specialist at the Filatov Clinic, there were two imported cases of melioidosis from Thailand registered in Russia in 2017 and 2024. She explained that infection can result from consuming food and water contaminated with secretions from infected animals, such as rodents, cats, dogs, and cows. Airborne dust transmission is also possible, and the bacteria can enter the body through skin abrasions.
Symptoms may appear within days of infection, but the bacteria can remain dormant in the body for years before being triggered by a weakened immune system. The onset of the disease can resemble a common respiratory viral infection, with symptoms such as chills, high fever, severe headache, and shortness of breath developing rapidly. Without timely medical intervention, death can occur in 2–4 days.
In some cases, the disease progresses more slowly, with symptoms such as weakness, chest pain, cough, and fever gradually appearing. Skin manifestations, including pustular rash, watery stools, purulent arthritis, and inflammatory infiltrates at the site of pathogen entry, may also occur. The disease can be transmitted from person to person.
Dr. Potselueva emphasized that a case of sexual transmission from a patient with chronic prostatitis to a spouse who had never been to endemic areas has been documented. The disease was also detected in a nurse in Russia who worked with melioidosis patients. All patients are subject to hospitalization and isolation.
Melioidosis is particularly dangerous for individuals over 45, children, pregnant women, diabetics, and those with chronic heart, lung, liver, and kidney diseases. It is also a significant threat to those undergoing immunosuppressive therapy or suffering from alcoholism or drug addiction. The lack of a vaccine complicates the situation.
Treatment involves long-term antibiotic therapy, which must begin immediately upon diagnosis. To reduce the risk of infection during vacations, travelers are advised to avoid drinking raw water, swimming in stagnant water, carefully select cafes and restaurants, and avoid contact with animals and soil, especially if there is any skin damage.
In addition to melioidosis, Russians have been advised to avoid vacations in Turkey due to the prevalence of the Coxsackie virus, which can cause aseptic meningitis, gastrointestinal disorders, and affect the heart, liver, and pancreas.