U.S. health officials may have solved the mystery of how four people in different states came down with a serious tropical disease even though none had traveled internationally: an aromatherapy spr\u2026<\/b>
\nNEW YORK \u2014 U.S. health officials may have solved the mystery of how four people in different states came down with a serious tropical disease even though none had traveled internationally: an aromatherapy spray imported from India. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said Friday that investigators found the same type of bacteria that causes the disease, melioidosis, in a spray bottle found in one of the patients\u2019 homes. The four people were from Georgia, Kansas, Minnesota and Texas. The first case, which was fatal, was identified in March in Kansas. The second and third cases, identified in May in Minnesota and Texas, required lengthy hospitalization. The fourth case was identified in July in a child who died in Georgia. The agency said it was testing to confirm the bacteria in the bottle is the same strain as that seen in the four patients. It previously said lab analyses showed all four infections were closely related. The spray found in the Georgia patient\u2019s home was made in India. The genetic profile of the bacteria in the bottle is similar to that of strains usually found in South Asia, the agency said. The contaminated product is labeled \u201cBetter Homes & Gardens Lavender & Chamomile Essential Oil Infused Aromatherapy Room Spray with Gemstones,\u201d the CDC said. It was sold for $4 in 55 Walmart stores and on Walmart\u2019s website starting in February and until Thursday. The Consumer Product Safety Commission and Walmart issued a recall Friday for 3,900 bottles of the spray in six scents. Officials are investigating whether other scents and brands may pose a risk. Melioidosis is a rare in the United States, with about 12 cases reported annually. People can get it through direct contact with contaminated soil and water. The CDC said the infection is treatable if caught early and treated correctly. ___ The Associated Press Health and Science Department receives support from the Howard Hughes Medical Institute\u2019s Department of Science Education. The AP is solely responsible for all content. Related Articles COVID-19 Friday update: 22 more MN deaths and 2,150 new infections\t COVID vaccine: CDC expands booster rollout, OKs mixing shots\t St. Paul adopting strict COVID-19 vaccination requirement for all 4,000 city employees\t First death of a Minnesota teenager from COVID-19 reported Thursday\t Can new variants of the coronavirus keep emerging?<\/p>\n