Melioidosis is caused by a bacterium named *Burkholderia pseudomallei*, which lives naturally in soil and water, especially in tropical and subtropical regions. This bacterium thrives in wet environments such as muddy soils, stagnant water, and flooded areas. People or animals…
Glanders is a serious infectious disease primarily affecting horses, donkeys, and mules, caused by the bacterium *Burkholderia mallei*. It is highly contagious and can be fatal. The disease can also infect humans, making it a zoonotic threat. Treating glanders is…
Brucellosis is a disease that people can catch from animals, and it’s caused by bacteria called Brucella. These bacteria are tiny, rod-shaped germs that live inside the cells of animals and sometimes humans. The disease is found all over the…
Tularemia is an infectious disease caused by the bacterium *Francisella tularensis*. The signs of tularemia vary depending on how the infection enters the body, but there are several common symptoms and distinct forms of the illness that help identify it.…
Psittacosis is caused by an infection with the bacterium *Chlamydia psittaci*, which primarily lives in birds. This bacterium can remain dormant in birds but becomes active when the birds experience stress, such as during capture, confinement, or transportation. When active,…
Q fever is an infectious disease caused by the bacterium *Coxiella burnetii*. While many people infected with Q fever may experience mild or no symptoms, the disease can lead to a variety of complications that affect multiple organs and systems…
Pontiac fever is caused by infection with bacteria from the genus *Legionella*, specifically the same bacteria responsible for Legionnaires’ disease but resulting in a much milder illness. The bacteria naturally live in water environments and can multiply under certain conditions,…
Legionnaires’ disease is a serious type of pneumonia caused by Legionella bacteria, and its symptoms can be quite varied but generally start with flu-like signs that worsen over several days. The illness usually begins within 2 to 10 days after…
Severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) is caused by infection with a specific type of coronavirus known as SARS-CoV. This virus belongs to the coronavirus family, which are single-stranded RNA viruses characterized by their crown-like spikes on the surface. The primary…
Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS) is a viral respiratory illness caused by the MERS coronavirus (MERS-CoV). The signs and symptoms of MERS can vary widely, ranging from no symptoms at all to severe respiratory distress and even death. The illness…