Oct 25, 2021 16:00:00

Aroma sprays containing lethal pathogens were sold in supermarkets and mail orders

From March to July 2021,

four cases of melioidosis , an infectious disease that prevails mainly in Southeast Asia, occurred in the United States, and two of them died. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) , which investigated the route of development of melioidosis in people living in the United States and having no recent travel history, said that 'aroma spray sold by major supermarket chain Wal-Mart' contains melioidosis. I found out that it was.

2021 Multistate outbreak of melioidosis | Melioidosis | CDC
https://www.cdc.gov/melioidosis/outbreak/2021/index.html

Deadly bacteria found in aromatherapy spray sold at Walmart | Live Science
https://www.livescience.com/aromatherapy-spray-melioidosis-deadly-bacteria

Burkholderia pseudomale is a zoonotic disease caused by Burkholderia pseudomalus, which can be transmitted orally from contaminated soil or water or through wounds. Although it does not develop in many cases even if infected, it is a terrifying disease with various symptoms such as pneumonia, sepsis, and suppuration at the infected site, and a high case fatality rate.

Since Burkholderia pseudomalus is mainly spread in Southeast Asia and northern Australia, most patients with Burkholderia pseudomalus in the United States develop it after traveling to Southeast Asia and elsewhere. However, all four patients identified in Georgia, Kansas, Minnesota, and Texas in 2021 had no recent history of traveling abroad, and it was unclear why they were infected with Burkholderia pseudomalus. When the CDC examined the patient's blood samples, they all found that they were infected with a genetically related strain that is common in South Asia, suggesting that they all have some common source of infection. It was suggested.

The CDC tested the soil, water, and daily necessities in and around the patient's home and found that the 'aroma spray' used by one of the patients contained Burkholderia pseudomalus. The CDC is working with the state health department to see if the bacterial genes found in the aroma spray match the bacteria found in the patient's blood and if the other three patients were using the same aroma spray. It states that it is investigating.

The contaminated aroma spray is made in India and is named 'Better Homes & Gardens Lavender & Chamomile Essential Oil Infused Aromatherapy Room Spray with Gemstones' at 55 Wal-Mart stores and websites from February 21st to October 21st, 2021. It was sold. Following the CDC's report, Wal-Mart has recalled a total of nearly 4,000 bottles, including five different scents produced on the same line on October 22nd.

The CDC warns consumers who own the targeted aroma sprays, 'Please stop using this product immediately.' Also, because aroma sprays may contain Burkholderia pseudomalus, they must be returned to Wal-Mart in a proper manner, rather than simply thrown away as garbage.

The aroma spray needs to be doubled in a clear, clean zippered bag, packed in a small cardboard box and sent to Wal-Mart. In addition, all sheets and linen that may have been sprayed with aroma should be washed and dried in a high-temperature dryer, and the surface of furniture should be wiped off with undiluted Pine-Sol or a similar disinfectant. That's right. The CDC advises you to wash your hands thoroughly after doing these tasks.

The patients with melioidosis reported this time had symptoms such as coughing, shortness of breath, weakness, malaise, nausea, vomiting, fever, and rash on the body and face. If you experience any of these symptoms with a targeted aroma spray, you should see your doctor and report that you have used the aroma spray. Also, if you tell your doctor that you have used this aroma spray within the last 7 days, even if you have no symptoms, you may be asked to prescribe antibiotics.