The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) today confirmed

that bacteria in a Better Homes & Gardens aromatherapy spray in a

Georgia melioidosis patient’s home genetically matches the bacterial
strains in the patient, and three other patients in Kansas, Minnesota, and
Texas infected since March.
CDC announced Friday that a bottle of the BHG aromatherapy spray in
“Lavender & Chamomile with Gemstones” scent had tested positive
for Burkholderia pseudomallei, the bacteria that causes melioidosis. But the
final step in the investigation, being reported today, was to confirm the
DNA fingerprint of the bacteria in the spray and in the patients was the
same. This allows CDC to confirm the spray or one of its ingredients caused
the four melioidosis infections. 
“When you think about the thousands of things people come in contact
with around their homes, it’s remarkable we were able to identify the source
and confirm it in the lab,” said Inger Damon, MD, PhD, director of
CDC’s Division of High-Consequence Pathogens and Pathology. “CDC
scientists and our partners found the proverbial needle in the haystack.” 
With the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) and Walmart, CDC
has contacted the manufacturer in India to determine whether ingredients
from the implicated spray were used in any other products. CDC scientists
are working to assess the extent of contamination in other bottles and
whether other scents may also be contaminated. Since Friday, CDC testing
of an additional bottle of the spray has tested positive for the bacteria.  
Anyone who has a bottle of BHG Lavender & Chamomile Aromatherapy
Spray with Gemstones or other scents in the same product line purchased
from Walmart online or in these Walmart storesexternal icon between
February and Oct. 21, 2021, should stop using it immediately and follow
the steps listed on CDC’s website to safely return the product to Walmart.
CPSC and Walmart recalled about 3,900 bottles of aromatherapy spray on
Oct. 22. Walmart is offering consumers a refund and a $20 gift card for its
return.  
CDC emphasized that consumers should not pour the contents down the
drain or throw the bottle in the trash. The bacteria that cause melioidosis
does not normally live in soil and water in the United States. If the spray
bottles end up in landfills, the bacteria could become established and
cause future melioidosis cases in the U.S. CDC is working with Walmart to
ensure the returned bottles are disposed of properly and safely. 
For more information about the investigation, please visit the webpage
on this cluster of illnesses and the Health Alert Network notice. You can
also visit CDC’s main melioidosis webpage. 
###
U.S. DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES external icon
CDC works 24/7 protecting America’s health, safety and security. Whether
disease start at home or abroad, are curable or preventable, chronic or acute,
or from human activity or deliberate attack, CDC responds to America’s most
pressing health threats. CDC is headquartered in Atlanta and has experts
located throughout the United States and the world.