Five-year-old-Girl Gets Rare Disease; Deadly Bacteria Traced to Scented Room Spray

In May of 2021, five-year-old Lylah Baker was diagnosed with melioidosis, a rare disease caused by the deadly bacteria, Burkholderia pseudomallei, which are typically confined in Australia and Southeast Asia. 

However, experts found it in a scented room spray sold at Walmart. After months of staying in the hospital, including in the intensive care unit, Lylah is now on her physical therapy sessions.

Melioidosis, a rare disease

According to People, on May 31, 2021, Lylah, four, had a low-grade fever and an upset stomach. She was rushed to the hospital. After a few days, she could not walk or hold her head up or down. Little did the family know that it was the beginning of their eight-month ordeal.

Lylah spent months getting several tests and a five-hour brain biopsy at Children's Medical Center in Plano, Texas. Doctors diagnosed her with melioidosis, a rare disease caused by Burkholderia pseudomallei, typically found in Australia and Southeast Asia. Infections usually happen on people who directly contact the contaminated soil or water, stated an article on Times Record News.

Because of the confined distribution of the bacteria, doctors were puzzled how Lylah got the rare disease. She never had a history of international travel. Later, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) was informed that there are three other similar cases in Kansas, Minnesota, and Georgia. Two of those infected did not survive.

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A scented air spray

For several months, CDC and local health officials met with the victims and their families to assess what they had in common. Experts finally traced the source of the bacteria to an air-freshener spray, Better Homes & Gardens Lavender and Chamomile Aromatherapy Spray with Semiprecious Gemstones. Walmart sold the products at their stores.

"You never expect a room spray," Ashley Kennon, Lylah's aunt, said.

Kennon said that one of Lylah's grandmothers used the spray in her old home before moving to a new home.

CDC recalled the product and is still studying how the bacteria found its way to it. The room sprays were made in a factory in South India. Experts think the bacteria might have come from the water used or the semiprecious gemstones.

One of Lylah's grandmothers purchased the air freshener a month before Lylah got ill. The family remembered that their cat died two weeks after it knocked over the air freshener bottle, spilling its content on the floor. The family thought nothing of it.

Dustin Baker, Lylah's father, said that the seven other family members did not get sick as they had antibodies to Burkholderia pseudomallei.

"They were exposed, but their bodies fought it off," he said.

Product recall of the scented air spray

According to CDC guidance, Walmart urged all customers who bought the product to stop using it. Walmart recalled around 3,900 bottles. The spray was manufactured in India and was purchased between February and October 2021.

CDC warned the customers to stop using the spray and contact their doctors if exposed and have symptoms like fever and upset stomach. It also urged customers not to throw the content of the products in the drain or throw the product anywhere as it will contaminate US soil and water and cause more of the rare disease.

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