Kansas resident among 4 in U.S. to fall ill from bacteria found in aromatherapy spray

A Kansas resident is among four people across the country who became seriously ill after a rare and deadly bacteria is thought to have been imported in a popular aromatherapy spray made in India.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said Friday that investigators found the bacteria that causes the disease, melioidosis, in the spray bottle located in a patient’s home on Oct. 6. Residents of Minnesota, Texas and Georgia also fell ill. Two died, including a child in Georgia.

The bacteria was found in a bottle of Better Homes & Garden’s Lavender & Chamomile Essential Oil Infused Aromatherapy Room Spray with Gemstones. The Consumer Product Safety Commission and Walmart have issued a recall of that spray along with five other scented sprays from the same band.

The federal agency is still testing to confirm the bacteria found is the same strain found in the four patients. But previous lab testing showed the infections were all closely related.

Melioidosis is rare in the U.S. Roughly 12 cases are reported annually. The CDC says the infection is treatable if caught early and treated correctly.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.