Announcement of melioidosis warning alert

The Korea Occupational Safety and Health Agency (KOSHA, President : Baek Hun Ki) said on the 26^th that it announced a melioidosis warning sign recently for those working outside the country.

Melioidosis is an infectious disease caused by a bacterium, found in soil and water. The mode of infection is believed to be either through a break in the skin, or through the inhalation.

Symptoms may include lung nodules and pneumonia killing people when they are serious.

The first confirmed case of melioidosis in Korea was reported in 2003 from a person who had just come back from the business trip to the Southeast Asian region. There have been 7 confirmed cases of melioidosis and three of them have died up until now. The first fatal confirmed case was in 2008.

The agency recommends people to avoid traveling to endemic areas such as Southeast Asia and Australia. The KOSHA, however, said that workers or travelers who already are there or will be there must not touch the soil or rain in the region. You would be better not to go out especially when you have scars on your skin according to the KOSHA which recommends people to wear a mask.

The agency released the document containing melioidosis infection route, clinical features and prevention on the website. It also requires businesses to take it to train workers who are abroad.

Mr. Jeong, Director at Occupational Health Department, from KOSHA said, “returning workers abroad safe and sound is all the more important who are devoted themselves to contribute to develop the Korean economy. KOSHA will work hard to protect the health of not only workers on our soil but also those working overseas.”