Melioidosis in Patients with COVID-19 Exposed to Contaminated Tap Water, Thailand, 2021
Tantirat P., Chantarawichian Y., Taweewigyakarn P., Kripattanapong S., Jitpeera C., Doungngern P., Phiancharoen C., Tangwangvivat R., Hinjoy S., Sujariyakul A., Amornchai P., Wongsuvan G., Hantakun V., Wuthiekanun V., Thaipadungpanit J., Thomson NR., Dance DAB., Chewapreecha C., Batty EM., Limmathurotsakul D.
In September 2021, a total of 25 patients diagnosed with COVID-19 developed acute melioidosis after (median 7 days) admission to a COVID-19 field hospital in Thailand. Eight nonpotable tap water samples and 6 soil samples were culture-positive for Burkholderia pseudomallei. Genomic analysis suggested contaminated tap water as the likely cause of illness.