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. 2015 Jan;21(1):159-62.
doi: 10.3201/eid2101.140042.

Association of melioidosis incidence with rainfall and humidity, Singapore, 2003-2012

Xiang Liu, Long Pang, Siew Hoon Sim, Kee Tai Goh, Sharada Ravikumar, Mar Soe Win, Gladys Tan, Alex Richard Cook, Dale Fisher, Louis Yi Ann Chai

Association of melioidosis incidence with rainfall and humidity, Singapore, 2003-2012

Xiang Liu et al. Emerg Infect Dis. 2015 Jan.

Abstract

Soil has been considered the natural reservoir for the bacterium Burkholderia pseudomallei, which causes melioidosis. We examined 550 melioidosis cases that occurred during a 10-year period in the highly urbanized city of Singapore, where soil exposure is rare, and found that rainfall and humidity levels were associated with disease incidence.

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Figures

Figure
Figure
Total monthly rainfall (mm), average monthly humidity (%), and average monthly temperature (°C) compared with melioidosis case numbers, Singapore, 2003–2012. Cases are listed by date of illness onset.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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