Fatal cases due to neuromelioidosis, i.e. a rare but severe infection that affects the central nervous system, including the brain and spinal cord. 8 to 10 people are dead due to the usage of contaminated saline water during dental checkups. Investigations revealed that the surgical tool was being used to open the saline bottle, and bacteria named Burkholderia pseudomallei developed, which aggressively attacked the brain, leading to deaths among those infected.

A shocking study published in 'The Lancet' revealed eight individuals lost their lives due to a rare yet severe brain infection known as neuromelioidosis. And the outbreak happened in a dental clinic located in vaniyambadi, a town in Tirupattur district of Tamil Nadu. These cases occurred in 2023 but were not reported by any government agency. This rare infection occurred due to contaminated dental equipment. According to the joint investigation done by doctors from CMC Vellore, ICMR-NIE and Tamil Nadu's Directorate of Pubic Health.

This research revealed that a surgical tool called a periosteal elevator was used to open the saline bottle, and they carelessly resealed it and reused it on multiple patients, which led to the transmission of infection among 10 people, and 8 died; the fatality rate caused by this behaviour was 80%.

, who conducted this research, explained that this bacterium uses nerve pathways to enter the individual brain. When the contaminated saline water was used to rinse the patient's mouth, this allowed the bacteria to enter into patient's brain quickly. Further research showed that bacteria had a gene that attacks the brain aggressively.

On May 9, 2023 CMC reported a sudden rise in these cases. After some days, when the Tamil Nadu health officials held a meeting with different hospitals and clinics, a team of doctors began to investigate. But, before they could collect samples from that clinic, it was disinfected and Shut down after complaints. The scientist tried to get the bacteria samples from the saline water, but other saline bottles were cleaned till that time.

Patients who have not visited the clinic showed selling in their salivary glands, cheeks, and lymph nodes. But patients visited had more serious concerns as face swelling, soft tissue infections due to the contaminated saline water.

This outbreak is a reminder for all healthcare workers to follow proper infection control practices. Said by Dr T S Selvavinayagam. Tamil Nadu's director of public health.

It is a serious infection of the brain and spinal cord caused by the bacteria named a burkholderia pseudomallei. Mostly found in contaminated soil and water in tropical areas.

From July 2022 to April 2023, researchers found a total of 21 cases. Out of these 10 patients who visited the dental clinic, 9 people are dead. Most cases were from Tirupattur district, and those who visited the clinic died faster. The only person who died without visiting the clinic took 56 days after symptoms and 38 days after hospitalisation.