Eleven deaths out of 21 confirmed melioidosis cases have been recorded this year in the province of Cagayan.
Dr. Kim Salvador of Ballesteros District Hospital revealed that the Provincial Health Office and Municipal Health Offices are intensifying surveillance on suspected cases.
Melioidosis, considered a re-emerging disease, saw a spike in cases starting August, coinciding with the onset of the rainy season.
The towns of Camalaniugan and Sta. Ana reported two deaths each, while Alcala, Baggao, Buguey, Claveria, Gattaran, Gonzaga, Piat, Sto. Niño, Solana, Tuao, and Tuguegarao City each recorded one fatality.
Most of the affected individuals are drivers, carpenters, vendors, laborers, butchers, and farmers with underlying conditions such as diabetes, kidney disease, and pneumonia.
Although no current hospitalizations are reported, Dr. Salvador warned that the disease can be acquired through bacteria-contaminated food, water, or air.
Symptoms typically include fever, headache, swelling, ulceration, chest pain, coughing, and swollen lymph nodes.