Walmart room spray sold in Alabama linked to 2 deaths; CDC alerts doctors - AL.com

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has issued an alert for doctors to be on the lookout for a rare tropical disease linked to an aromatherapy spray sold at Walmart. The disease has been linked to two deaths.

Better Homes and Gardens Aromatherapy Room Spray with Gemstones was recalled earlier this month after health officials found the spray tested positive for Burkholderia pseudomallei, the bacteria that causes melioidosis. Two deaths – one in Georgia and another in Kansas – have been linked to the spray. Cases have also been reported in Minnesota and Texas.

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The CDC tested Better Homes & Gardens Lavender & Chamomile Essential Oil Infused Aromatherapy Room Spray with Gemstones but further investigation is also being conducted on five other scents under the same brand: Lemon & Mandarin, Lavender, Peppermint, Lime & Eucalyptus and Sandalwood & Vanilla. All of the products were made in India.

The spray was sold online nationwide at a select Walmart locations from February – Oct. 21. Four Walmart stores in Alabama sold the spray:

Store 670, 626 Olive Street SW in Cullman
Store 766, 3100 Hough Road in Florence
Store 809, 92 Plaza Lane, Oxford
Store 715, 1501 Skyland Blvd., Tuscaloosa

An alert sent to healthcare providers said doctors should be on the lookout for symptoms of melioidosis and ask patients if they’ve come in contact with the room sprays, including being in the room while the product was sprayed, having “sniffed” the bottle or having direct contact with it, such as if it was sprayed on linens or pillowcases.

Symptoms vary but can include infections resulting in ulcers or skin abscesses; high fevers, headaches, chest pain, anorexia and muscle soreness; bloodstream infections; headaches, seizure and extreme weakness.

What should you do if you have the product?

Stop using the product immediately. Do not open the bottle. Do not throw away or dispose of the bottle in the regular trash.
Double bag the bottle in clean, clear zip-top bags and place in a small cardboard box. Return the bagged and boxed product to a Walmart store. Walmart is offering a $20 gift card for the returns.
Wash sheets or linens that the product may have been sprayed on using normal laundry detergent and dry completely in a hot dryer; bleach can be used if desired.
Wipe down counters and surfaces that might have the spray on them with undiluted Pine-Sol or similar disinfectant.
Limit how much you handle the spray bottle and wash hands thoroughly after touching the bottle or linens. If you used gloves while handling the bottling or cleaning, wash hands afterward.
If you have used the product within the past 21 days and have fever or other melioidosis symptoms, seek medical care and tell your doctor you were exposed to the spray. If you do not have symptoms but were exposed to the product in the last 7 days, your doctor may recommend that you get antibiotics to prevent infection.

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