The National Hospital of Tropical Diseases under Bach Mai hospital in Vietnam’s capital city of Hanoi recorded 12 cases of rare whitmore disease, including four deaths, in August, state media reported. Rainy seasons provide good conditions for the development of the dangerous acute infectious disease, Dr. Do Duy Cuong from the hospital said. Vietnam recorded 20 cases of whitmore disease in the year to date, which is equal to those reported over the last ten years, the doctor noted. Melioidosis, also called Whitmore's disease, is an infectious disease that can infect humans or animals. Caused by the bacterium Burkholderia pseudomallei, the disease appears in tropical climates, especially in Southeast Asia and northern Australia. (Nhan Dan, VietnamNews)
