About World Melioidosis Congress
The World Melioidosis Congress (WMC) is the premier international scientific forum dedicated to understanding, preventing, and treating melioidosis—a severe, potentially fatal tropical infection caused by the soil- and water-dwelling bacterium Burkholderia pseudomallei.
First held in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, in 1994, the WMC serves as the primary face-to-face gathering for the International Melioidosis Network. The congress typically takes place every three to four years and is usually hosted in regions where the disease is highly endemic, such as Southeast Asia and Northern Australia.
We look forward to welcoming you to Kuching in 2027!
Welcome to the official platform for the 11th World Melioidosis Congress (WMC XI 2027). Set in the beautiful city of Kuching, Sarawak, Malaysia —renowned for its rich cultural heritage, lush rainforests, and warm hospitality—this congress serves as a premier global hub for the melioidosis community.
Because the bacterium Burkholderia pseudomallei thrives in soil and water and affects a wide variety of animals alongside humans, WMC XI strongly champions the One Health approach. By recognizing the critical interconnections of human health, animal health, and environmental ecosystems, the congress unites medical professionals, veterinaries, scientists, and environmental researchers. Together, we aim to build a holistic understanding of transmission dynamics and develop integrated strategies for global disease surveillance, prevention, and control.
Since the first symposium in Malaysia in 1994, the WMC has grown into a vital space for clinicians, researchers, and public health specialists to share the latest scientific findings, discuss clinical challenges, and collaborate on innovative solutions to combat this complex disease. Join us as we reflect on our history, nurture the next generation of researchers, and embark on a collaborative future.
Welcome Remarks by the WMC XI 2027 Co-Chairs
The Local Organising Committee
WMC XI 2027 Congress Leadership
Yuwana Podin
Congress Co-chair
Molecular Microbiologist, Institute of Health and Community Medicine, University Malaysia Sarawak
MALAYSIA
Tonnii Sia
Congress Co-chair
Infectious Diseases Physician and Internal Medicine Consultant, Department of Medicine, Miri Hospital
MALAYSIA
Tiong Xun Ting
Secretary
Research Medical Officer,
Clinical Research Centre, Sarawak General Hospital, Institute of Clinical Research, National Institutes of Health, Ministry of Health Malaysia.
MALAYSIA
Cindy Lau
Treasurer
Clinical Pharmacist
Department of Pharmacy,
Hospital Bintulu, Sarawak
MALAYSIA
Rasidah Senian
Organising Committee
Infectious Diseases Consultant, Sunway Medical Centre Velocity
MALAYSIA
Sheila Nathan
Organising Committee
Molecular Microbiologist, Malaysian National University (Retired)
MALAYSIA
Ho Ai Chia
Organising Committee
Public Health Specialist, Head of Unit of Communicable Diseases Control, Sarawak Health Department, Sarawak
MALAYSIA
Chua Hock Hin
Organising Committee
Infectious Diseases Consultant, Sarawak General Hospital
MALAYSIA
Ooi Mong How
Organising Committee
Consultant Pediatrician, Department of Pediatric, Sarawak General Hospital
MALAYSIA
Ngian Hie Ung
Organising Committee
Public Health Physician, Hospital Director, Sarawak General Hospital
MALAYSIA
Ummu Afeera Zainulabid
Organising Committee
Department of Internal Medicine Kulliyyah of Medicine International Islamic Universiti Malaysia
MALAYSIA
MALAYSIA
Jamal I-Ching Sam
Organising Committee
Department of Medical Microbiology, University Malaya
MALAYSIA
Vanitha Mariappan
Organising Committee
Medical Microbiologist, Faculty Health Sciences Malaysian National University
MALAYSIA
Kumutha Malar Vellasamy
Organising Committee
Department of Medical Microbiology, University Malaya
MALAYSIA
Sylvia Chieng
Organising Committee
Department of Biological Sciences and Biotechnology, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia
MALAYSIA
Fauzziah Dahlan Sarkawi
Organising Committee
Institute of Health and Community Medicine, Universiti Malaysia Sarawak
MALAYSIA
Norkasinah Ramji
Organising Committee
Institute of Health and Community Medicine, Universiti Malaysia Sarawak
MALAYSIA
Nadia Izyan Mohd Ali
Organising Committee
Institute of Health and Community Medicine, Universiti Malaysia Sarawak
MALAYSIA
The International Melioidosis Network Committee
International steering committee represented by experts from different countries
Fazle Rabbi Chowdhury
President
Bangladesh Medical University and University of Edinburgh
BANGLADESH & UNITED KINGDOM
Joost Wiersinga
Chair Infectious Diseases
Amsterdam UMC, University of Amsterdam
NETHERLANDS
Natkunam Ketheesan
Organising Committee
Professor in Biomedical Science (Infection & Immunity)
University of New England
AUSTRALIA
Chiranjay Mukhopadhyay
Organising Committee
Professor and Director
Manipal Institute of Virology, Manipal
INDIA
Susanna Dunachie
Organising Committee
Co-Director Oxford Global Health,
Oxford University
UNITED KINGDOM
Direk Limmathurotsakul
Organising Committee
Mahidol-Oxford Tropical Medicine Research Unit, Faculty of Tropical Medicine, Mahidol University
THAILAND
Enoka Marie Corea
Organising Committee
Chair Professor of Medical Microbiology and Immunology Faculty of Medicine, University of Colombo
SRI LANKA
David Allan Brett Dance
Organising Committee
Lao-Oxford-Mahosot Hospital-Wellcome Trust Research Unit and London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine
LAO PEOPLE'S DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC & UNITED KINGDOM
Bart J Currie
Organising Committee
Menzies School of Health Research and Royal Darwin Hospital, Northern Territory
AUSTRALIA
Ivo Steinmetz, MD
Organising Committee
Head Research & Diagnostic Institute of Hygiene, Microbiology and Environmental Medicine
Medical University of Graz
AUSTRIA
Bijayini Behera
Organising Committee
Professor, Department of Microbiology AIIMS, Bhubaneswar
INDIA
Eric P.H. Yap
Organising Committee
Microbial and Medical Genetics, Lee Kong Chian School of Medicine & Institute of Digital & Molecular Analytics Nanyang Technological University
SINGAPORE
Yuwana Podin
Co-chair World Melioidosis Congress XI 2027
Molecular Microbiologist,
Institute of Health and Community Medicine,
Universiti Malaysia Sarawak
MALAYSIA
Tonnii Sia
Co-chair World Melioidosis Congress XI 2027
Internal Medicine Consultant and Infectious Diseases Physician Hospital Miri, Sarawak
MALAYSIA
Call for Abstracts
Share your research and findings at the WMC XI 2027.
We invite clinicians, research scientists, laboratory technicians, veterinarians, students, and public health specialists to contribute to our dynamic scientific program. By submitting your abstract, you play a crucial role in advancing global melioidosis research, clinical management, and public health strategies.
Join the global community in Kuching as we explore the theme: "Revisiting History, Embarking on the Future."
Organised by
Post Graduate Medical Education Society, Miri Hospital
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Universiti Malaysia Sarawak (UNIMAS)
Supported by
Collaborating Partners
Menzies School of Health Research
Amsterdam Medical Center
Indonesian Clinical Microbiology Association (PAMKI)
MSIDC
Clinical Management
Exploring the latest treatment protocols, patient care strategies, and challenging case studies.
Animal & Veterinary Sciences
Understanding the impact of melioidosis on livestock, domestic animals, and wildlife, and integrating veterinary data into global disease surveillance.
Scientific Research & Innovation
Showcasing groundbreaking discoveries and therapeutic advancements.
Epidemiology
Tracking the global spread, environmental factors, and regional impact of the disease.
Immunology & Pathogenesis
Deepening the understanding of host-pathogen interactions and immune responses.
Diagnostics
Highlighting cutting-edge advancements in the rapid and accurate detection of Burkholderia pseudomallei.
Congress Location & Accommodation
Waterfront Hotel, Kuching, Sarawak
68, Jalan Tun Abang Haji Openg,
93000 Kuching, Sarawak