Burkholderia pseudomallei infection in the Singapore Armed Forces from 1987 to 1994--an epidemiological review.

Between 1987 and 1994, twenty-three cases of Burkholderia pseudomallei infection (melioidosis) were diagnosed in persons serving in the Singapore Armed Forces. There were four deaths resulting from complications of the infection. Unlike the situation in the general population, where the affected are mainly the elderly with underlying illness, the majority of cases in the Singapore Armed Forces were otherwise fit and healthy young servicemen. Serological surveys have shown the prevalence of the infection in Singapore to be 0.2% in the military as well as civilian population. As physical contact with soil is an unavoidable part of military training, military personnel continue to be at risk of exposure to this soil-related disease.