TWO individuals in the province of Siquijor who were found positive for melioidosis, an infectious disease, have died.

This was announced by the Siquijor Provincial Health Office (SPHO) on Monday, June 9, 2025.

The two fatalities were among the six cases initially reported to have contracted glanders disease.

SPHO head Jeff Lorenz Booc, in a phone interview on Monday, said the fatalities, both male, were from municipalities of Siquijor and Larena. They were 53 and around 20 years old, respectively.

Booc said the two individuals had existing health problems; the 20-year-old had a heart condition, while the other victim had an existing comorbidity.

“The cause of death cannot be determined as directly caused by melioidosis since they had existing comorbids. Maybe it was exacerbated by the disease,” said Booc.

Aside from the two fatalities, the SPHO has been monitoring the remaining cases of melioidosis, who were all initially reported as glanders.

Booc said the reported cases were all male, aged 16 to 59 years old. They were farmers and gardeners.

Four of the cases were from Barangay Lambojon in the town of Siquijor, while the others were from Larena. All have recovered from the illness.

“They have soil exposure, either it’s their main source of income or it’s their hobby,” said Booc.

Booc said the first case of melioidosis was recorded in April after a patient who showed signs of an infection and fever was admitted to a hospital in Dumaguete City.

After tests were conducted on the patient’s blood samples, the Silliman University Medical Center initially said that it was a case of glanders. However, after a confirmatory test done by the Research Institute for Tropical Medicine, the presence of B. pseudomallei was found.

By May, the SUMC recorded six cases.

“They reported it to the DOH (Department of Health) Central Office and the Central Office sent us their epidemiology bureau and we then started the contract tracing and surveillance… They reported it since this is a rare disease,” said Booc.

Booc said monitoring will continue as they have more samples sent for confirmation.

Safety measures

Melioidosis, also known as Whitmore’s disease, is a zoonotic disease caused by a bacteria called Burkholderia pseudomallei, or B. pseudomallei, according to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

According to the CDC, the disease spreads to people and animals through direct contact with soil, air, or water contaminated by the bacteria.

Booc urged the public to practice proper hygiene, especially when performing activities that deal with soil and water.

“Wear your protective equipment. If doing farming or gardening, wear proper boots and gloves. Other than that, let’s seek medical attention if we have fever, joint pains and body aches since those are the initial symptoms,” said Booc.

Booc said melioidosis is a “very treatable” disease using antibiotics.

Source: SunStar Publishing Inc.