An outbreak of melioidosis in Taiwan, which began after Typhoon Gaemi hit the country last month, could have been caused by “immunity theft,” a condition where the immune system is damaged after a COVID-19 infection, an infectious diseases specialist said on Wednesday.
Thirty-seven cases of locally acquired melioidosis have been recorded in Taiwan this year, the most for the same period since 2006, with 30 of the cases reported after Typhoon Gaemi made landfall in the country on July 25, the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) said on Tuesday.
The 30 cases were recorded in Kaohsiung, Tainan, Taichung and Chiayi County, the CDC said.
Photo courtesy of the Centers for Disease Control
The peak of the outbreak has passed and the number of reported cases is expected to decline significantly starting this week, it added.
While the number of melioidosis cases this year has not yet exceeded 42 — the largest outbreak in Taiwan in 2005 — the increase in infections could be due to “immunity theft,” said Huang Li-min (黃立民), an attending physician specializing in pediatric infectious diseases at National Taiwan University Hospital.
“Immunity theft” occurs when the immune system is compromised after a COVID-19 infection, making it easier for people to contract other viruses, suffer from bacterial infection or even repeat infections, Huang said.
Asked whether “immunity theft” can cause permanent damage in humans, Huang said the condition is still under observation by experts around the world and that it would take at least three more years to reach a conclusion.
Repeat COVID-19 infections weaken the immune system further, he said, urging the public to adhere to COVID-19 prevention guidelines, including getting vaccinations and wearing a mask.
Melioidosis is caused by the bacterium Burkholderia pseudomallei, which can be found in soil and in stagnant water. It is primarily transmitted through open wounds that come into contact with contaminated soil or water, or by inhaling contaminated dust, soil or water droplets, the CDC said.
The strong winds and heavy rain brought by a typhoon can cause the bacteria to be exposed from soil and mud, facilitating its spread, the CDC added.
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