Melioidosis after Hurricanes Irma and Maria, St. Thomas/St. John District, US Virgin Islands, October 2017

Guendel, Irene; Ekpo, Lisa LaPlace; Hinkle, Mary; Harrison, Cosme; Blaney, David D.; Gee, Jay E.; Elrod, Mindy G.; Boyd, Sandra; Gulvik, Christopher A.; Liu, Lindy; Hoffmaster, Alex R.; Ellis, Brett R.; Hunte-Ceasar, Tai; Ellis, Esther M.

doi:10.3201/eid2510.180959

Cited by 6 publications

(5 citation statements)

References 13 publications

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“…3,5,6,8,12 Severe weather conditions such as increased rainfall, monsoons, typhoons, hurricanes, and dust storms within endemic areas have been associated with subsequent increases in melioidosis cases. 2,6,[32][33][34][35][36][37][38] Earthquakeinduced tsunamis have resulted in an increased incidence of melioidosis in tropical endemic areas but not in nonendemic areas. 39,40 In a review of scientific articles following the 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami (an endemic area for melioidosis), 17% referred to aspiration pneumonia caused by B. pseudomallei as well as other reports of wounds complicated by B. pseudomallei.…”

Section: Risk Factors Precautions Treatmentmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Additional risk factors include underlying health disorders such as diabetes, liver disease, renal disease, thalassemia, cancer, or other immunocompromised conditions 3,5,6,8,12. Severe weather conditions such as increased rainfall, monsoons, typhoons, hurricanes, and dust storms within endemic areas have been associated with subsequent increases in melioidosis cases 2,6,32-38. Earthquake-induced tsunamis have resulted in an increased incidence of melioidosis in tropical endemic areas but not in nonendemic areas 39,40.…”

Section: Risk Factorsmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Melioidosis

Borton¹

2022

Nursing

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Section: Risk Factors Precautions Treatmentmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Risk Factorsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Melioidosis

Borton¹

2022

Nursing

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“…The bacterium B. pseudomallei is primarily found in moist clay soils and in turbid waters [14,15]. Its distribution in soils is strongly influenced by climatic events, with more cases observed during the rainy season and sporadic contamination peaking during extreme weather events such as storms or floods [16,17]. Environmental detection of B. pseudomallei is challenging and specific culture protocols are required to isolate the bacterium [18].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Serological screening in animals combined with environmental surveys provides definite proof of the local establishment ofBurkholderia pseudomalleiin Guadeloupe

Gasqué,

Guernier-Cambert,

Manuel

et al. 2024

Preprint

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Background: Melioidosis is an emerging infectious disease caused by the soil-dwelling bacterium Burkholderia pseudomallei that affects both humans and animals. It is endemic in South and Southeast Asia, and northern Australia, causing an estimated 165,000 human cases annually worldwide. Human cases have been reported in the French West Indies (Martinique and Guadeloupe) since the 1990s. Conversely, no human cases have been reported in French Guiana, a French territory in South America. Our study aimed to investigate whether B. pseudomallei is locally established in Guadeloupe and French Guiana. We assessed animal exposure by serology and examined the presence of B. pseudomallei in the environment of seropositive animals. Methodology/Principal findings: Blood samples were collected from domestic animals in two goat farms in Les Saintes, Guadeloupe (n=31), and in 56 farms in French Guiana (n=670) and tested by ELISA. Serological follow up was performed on selected farms. Soil, water and goat rectal swabs were collected and analysed by culture and PCR. In French Guiana, the highest prevalence rates were observed in equids (24%) and cattle (16%), while in Les Saintes, a prevalence of 39% was observed in goats. The longitudinal study in Les Saintes revealed consistent high seropositivity in goats. A B. pseudomallei strain was isolated from the soil from one of the farms and detected in goat rectal swabs from the other farm. Conclusions/Significance: Our environmental investigation prompted by the serologic data confirms the presence of B. pseudomallei in Les Saintes, consistent with documented human cases of melioidosis on this island. In French Guiana, our serologic results call for environmental surveys and a re-evaluation of human infections with melioidosis-like symptoms. The approach developed in this study may help to identify high-risk areas that warrant further investigation.

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“…Despite the availability of guidance about cistern use after an emergency, , only 12.5% of households that had access to cistern water after the storms heard public messaging about cistern cleaning and water treatment . Cases of melioidosis and leptospirosis in the weeks and months following the storms highlighted the impact of the hurricanes on infrastructure and water supply. , …”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“… 19 Cases of melioidosis and leptospirosis in the weeks and months following the storms highlighted the impact of the hurricanes on infrastructure and water supply. 20 , 21 …”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Microbial Characterization, Factors Contributing to Contamination, and Household Use of Cistern Water, U.S. Virgin Islands

et al. 2022

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Households in the United States Virgin Islands (USVI) heavily rely on roof-harvested rainwater stored in cisterns for their daily activities. However, there are insufficient data on cistern water microbiological and physicochemical characteristics to inform appropriate cistern water management. Cistern and kitchen tap water samples were collected from 399 geographically representative households across St. Croix, St. Thomas, and St. John and an administered survey captured household site and cistern characteristics and water use behaviors. Water samples were analyzed for Escherichia coli by culture, and a subset of cistern water samples (N = 47) were analyzed for Salmonella, Naegleria fowleri, pathogenic Leptospira, Cryptosporidium, Giardia, and human-specific fecal contamination using real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Associations between E. coli cistern contamination and cistern and site characteristics were evaluated to better understand possible mechanisms of contamination. E. coli was detected in 80% of cistern water samples and in 58% of kitchen tap samples. For the subset of samples tested by PCR, at least one of the pathogens was detected in 66% of cisterns. Our results suggest that covering overflow pipes with screens, decreasing animal presence at the household, and preventing animals or insects from entering the cisterns can decrease the likelihood of E. coli contamination in USVI cistern water.

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Melioidosis after Hurricanes Irma and Maria, St. Thomas/St. John District, US Virgin Islands, October 2017

Cited by 6 publications

References 13 publications

Melioidosis

Melioidosis

Serological screening in animals combined with environmental surveys provides definite proof of the local establishment ofBurkholderia pseudomalleiin Guadeloupe

Microbial Characterization, Factors Contributing to Contamination, and Household Use of Cistern Water, U.S. Virgin Islands

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