Georgia Resident Dies Of Rare Bacterial Disease: CDC

ATLANTA—One person in Georgia has died from a rare disease called melioidosis, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported Monday.

The CDC says a total of four people have contracted this disease in the U.S. as of Monday. The other cases are in Kansas, Texas, and Missouri and include both adults and children. The patient in Kansas who contracted melioidosis died.

No details were made public on the deceased Georgia resident. The CDC is urging healthcare providers to be aware of the disease.

The CDC says the bacterial strains that made these four people sick "closely match each other, suggesting there is a common source for these cases."

Melioidosis, also called Whitmore's disease, is predominately seen in tropical climates. None of the U.S. patients had traveled internationally, though the CDC reports the bacterial strains are similar to strains found in Southern Asia.

The bacteria that cause this disease are found in contaminated water and soil, the CDC says. However, samples of soil and water from in and around the patients' homes have not tested positive for the bacteria.

The CDC believes an “imported product (such as a food or drink, personal care or cleaning products or medicine)” or an ingredient in one of the products may have caused these people to get sick, according to a news release. No further clarification was given on what specific product or ingredient could have caused melioidosis.

There are several types of melioidosis, meaning symptoms vary. For more information, visit the CDC's website.