title: Melioidosis from contaminated bore water and successful UV sterilization.
abstract: Two cases of melioidosis at a residence in rural northern Australia were linked to the unchlorinated domestic bore (automated well) water supply, which was found to have a high concentration of Burkholderia pseudomallei. Using multilocus sequence typing, clinical B. pseudomallei isolates from both cases were identical to an isolate from the bore water supply. A simple UV sterilizer reduced B. pseudomallei from the domestic water supply to undetectable levels. We have shown that UV treatment is highly effective for remediation of water contaminated with B. pseudomallei and recommend its consideration in households where individuals may be at heightened risk of contracting melioidosis.
authors.affiliation: Menzies School of Health Research, Charles Darwin University, Darwin, Northern Territory, Australia. evan.mcrobb@menzies.edu.au
authors.forename: Evan
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: McRobb
authors.forename: Mirjam
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Kaestli
authors.forename: Mark
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Mayo
authors.forename: Erin P
authors.initials: EP
authors.lastname: Price
authors.forename: Derek S
authors.initials: DS
authors.lastname: Sarovich
authors.forename: Daniel
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Godoy
authors.forename: Brian G
authors.initials: BG
authors.lastname: Spratt
authors.forename: Bart J
authors.initials: BJ
authors.lastname: Currie
mesh_terms: D016957:Burkholderia pseudomallei / Q000528:radiation effects; D004203:Disinfection / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D008554:Melioidosis / Q000209:etiology* / Q000517:prevention & control; D015876:Northern Territory; D012424:Rural Population; D014466:Ultraviolet Rays; D014871:Water Microbiology; D018508:Water Purification / Q000379:methods*; D014881:Water Supply