Unmasking melioidosis: Collaborative research needed to understand alarming global spread of the bacteria

by Menzies School of Health Research

edited by Lisa Lock, reviewed by Robert Egan

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What do hurricanes, military equipment, aromatherapy oil and a pet raccoon have in common? According to a new review led by Menzies School of Health Research (Menzies), all have been linked with cases of melioidosis, a potentially fatal disease caused by the bacterium Burkholderia pseudomallei, as part of tracking the global spread of the disease.

More than 60 countries are considered endemic to the disease, with Mali (Africa) and the state of Mississippi in the United States (and likely Georgia and Texas) the latest locations identified as endemic for melioidosis.

Published in PLOS Neglected Tropical Diseases, the review also reveals that changes in already known endemic regions are now being uncovered. For example, three strains that originated in Asia have entered and become established in tropical northern Australia, yet how this happened remains unknown.

As more cases reveal the disease's rapidly expanding global footprint, the findings highlight the strong need for a public health approach to support prevention and timely diagnosis and treatment.

Soil disturbance and flooding, brought on by more frequent and severe weather events and urban development, increase the likelihood of exposure to the bacteria. Rates of infection are also being exacerbated by the rise in chronic diseases like type 2 diabetes, which increases an individual's susceptibility to infection.

The review highlights the need for strong laboratory capacity, particularly in under-resourced settings across the globe, to support faster diagnosis and treatment of the condition. Melioidosis is often known as a great mimicker of infectious disease, with symptoms that can be confused with tuberculosis or other conditions, and a delay in diagnosis can significantly affect a patient's chance of survival.

Despite its relatively small population, the Northern Territory experiences one of the highest burdens of melioidosis, elevating the need to seriously consider and manage the risk of the disease in the development of northern Australia.

Menzies School of Health Research senior principal research fellow Professor Bart Currie says: "In Australia we are very fortunate to have both laboratory and intensive care capacity that has brought down the mortality of melioidosis to under 10%. Much of the world where melioidosis occurs is not so fortunate; many cases remain undiagnosed and mortality can still be 40%. The global scientific effort addressing melioidosis is an example of long-term partnerships and collaborations that hopefully will be able to transcend current geopolitical upheavals."

Publication details

Bart J. Currie et al, Global dispersal of Burkholderia pseudomallei and the evolving endemicity of melioidosis in the United States of America, PLOS Neglected Tropical Diseases (2026). DOI: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0014217

Journal information: PLoS Neglected Tropical Diseases

Key medical concepts

MelioidosisBurkholderia pseudomalleiDiabetes Type 2Tuberculosis

Clinical categories

Infectious diseasesCommon illnesses & PreventionPreventive medicine Provided by Menzies School of Health Research Who's behind this story?

Lisa Lock

BA art history, MA material culture. Former museum editor, paramedic, and transplant coordinator. Editing for Science X since 2021. Full profile →

Robert Egan

Bachelor's in mathematical biology, Master's in creative writing. Well-traveled with unique perspectives on science and language. Full profile →

Citation: Unmasking melioidosis: Collaborative research needed to understand alarming global spread of the bacteria (2026, June 16) retrieved 16 June 2026 from https://medicalxpress.com/news/2026-06-unmasking-melioidosis-collaborative-alarming-global.html This document is subject to copyright. Apart from any fair dealing for the purpose of private study or research, no part may be reproduced without the written permission. The content is provided for information purposes only.