US authorities monitoring a dangerous bacteria found in Gulf Coast

New York: Even as the world is still battling covid infections, US authorities are closely observing a developing situation that could turn into a potential health crisis.

Experts have found a dangerous bacteria that can cause lethal melioidosis making its way into Gulf Coast.

Centres for Disease Control (CDC) reportedly confirmed the bacteria Burkholderia pseudomallei behind three infections with two in Mississippi country in May and July of 2020.

The latest case was reported from the same region in January this year, causing concerns as the bacteria is capable of 50 per cent fatality rate.

Julia Petras, an official of CDC’s National Centre for Emerging and Zoonotic Infectious Diseases, said it is an environmental organism which lives mostly in subtropical and tropical climates, where it lives in the soil and fresh water.

Those infected, according to the official, do not show symptoms and develop antibodies against it, leading to many more likely to be infected.

However the report said that all the three infected patients have recovered.

Calling the disease a ‘great mimicker’, Petras said it is called so because it could appear in many different ways.

The disease is greatly 'under-reported and underdiagnosed and under-recognised' as it is a ‘neglected tropical disease’.

Melioidosis, also called the Whitmore's disease, can infect humans, and animals too, through open wounds or via inhalation.

Those with co-morbidity like diabetes or kidney and liver problems are at risk.

Though it is found especially in Southeast Asia and northern Australia, it is rarely transmitted from one person to another.

Melioidosis comes with a wide range of symptoms including localised pain or swelling, fever, ulcers, cough, chest pain, high fever and headache.