The Gia Lai Centre for Disease Control said the patient, a farmer from Plei Oi Village, developed fever, chills, persistent coughing, breathing difficulties and chest pain on September 7.
The man had previously injured his left thumb while cleaning a rainwater storage tank. After receiving treatment at several medical facilities, a blood culture on September 23 tested positive for Burkholderia pseudomallei, the bacterium that causes Whitmore disease.
He was diagnosed with B. pseudomallei sepsis along with several other medical conditions and was transferred to Gia Lai General Hospital on September 24. His condition was stable at the time of the report.
An epidemiological investigation found that the patient regularly worked on farmland and stayed overnight at a camp in a cashew-growing area at the foot of Chu Se Pass, about 4km from his home. During his work, he frequently came into direct contact with soil, mud and rainwater without wearing boots or rubber gloves.
The area around his home was also damp, with two long-standing pools of stagnant water. Health authorities said such conditions can increase the risk of exposure to B. pseudomallei, which can enter the body through cuts and abrasions or mucous membranes after contact with contaminated soil, mud or water.
After the case was identified, the Gia Lai Centre for Disease Control and Phu Thien Medical Centre investigated the patient's home and work areas. They disinfected the household and camp with Chloramine B, treated domestic water sources, cleared stagnant water and advised local residents on disease prevention.
Health authorities also compiled a list of people who had shared exposure risks with the patient and instructed them to monitor their health for at least 21 days after their last exposure.
No other suspected cases have been identified among the patient's family or nearby residents. The person directly caring for him remains in good health, and no additional suspected infections have been detected in the household or wider community.
Authorities have advised people, particularly farmers and agricultural workers, to wear boots, gloves and long clothing when coming into contact with soil, mud or water. Open wounds should be cleaned, disinfected and covered, and direct contact with mud and soil should be avoided.
