cdc:110991

Distributed via the CDC Health Alert Network

November 03, 2021, 11:00 AM ET

CDCHAN-00456

Whole genome sequencing (WGS) at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) confirmed that the strain of Burkholderia pseudomallei in bottles of aromatherapy room spray matches the bacterial strain that sickened all four patients. The outbreak strain was identified in a bottle of “Lavender & Chamomile” scented room spray found in the home of the Georgia resident who was infected and died from B. pseudomallei infection (melioidosis) in July 2021. That same outbreak strain was also identified in an unopened bottle of the same scented product recalled from a Walmart store in a different state.

This Health Alert Network (HAN) Health Update is an update to HAN Health Update 455: Source Implicated in Fatal Case in Georgia: Multistate Investigation of Non-travel Associated Burkholderia pseudomallei Infections (Melioidosis) in Four Patients: Georgia, Kansas, Minnesota, and Texas—2021 that CDC issued on October 22, 2021. The purpose of this HAN Update is to share an interim case definition, case notification guidance, and case reporting guidance for public health jurisdictions investigating additional potential cases related to this outbreak.

This investigation was previously described in HAN Health Update 448: New Case Identified: Multistate Investigation of Non-travel Associated Burkholderia pseudomallei Infections (Melioidosis) in Four Patients: Georgia, Kansas, Minnesota, and Texas—2021 that was issued on August 09, 2021, and HAN Health Advisory 444: Multistate Investigation of Non-travel Associated Burkholderia pseudomallei Infections (Melioidosis) in Three Patients: Kansas, Texas, and Minnesota—2021 that was issued on June 30, 2021.