Burkholderia pseudomallei Lawsuit

Lawsuits have been filed by people who were infected with B. pseudomallei after breathing an aromatherapy room spray from Walmart.

What You Can Do & How We Can Help

The Schmidt Firm, PLLC is currently accepting Burkholderia pseudomallei (B. pseudomallei) induced injury cases in all 50 states. If you or somebody you know has been diagnosed with melioidosis, you should contact our lawyers immediately for a free case consultation. Please use the form below to contact our Disease Litigation Group or call toll free 24 hours a day at (866) 920-0753.

What is Burkholderia Pseudomallei?

Burkholderia pseudomallei (B. pseudomallei) is a bacteria that lives in soil and water. Infections with B. pseudomallei cause melioidosis, also called Whitmore’s disease. Infections are rare in the U.S., but often life-threatening or deadly.

Walmart Aromatherapy Spray Linked to Burkholderia Pseudomallei Infections

In November 2021, Walmart recalled about 3,900 bottles of an aromatherapy spray after a deadly outbreak of infections with Burkholderia pseudomallei.

How Many People Were Infected?

At least 4 people developed melioidosis after breathing B. pseudomallei in Walmart’s aromatherapy spray. The victims include a 5-year-old boy in Georgia who died within a week, and adult in Kansas who died, and a 4-year-old girl in Texas who suffered permanent brain damage within days of being infected with B. pseudomallei.

B. Pseudomallei Lawsuit Filed After Death of 5-Year-Old Boy

In February 2022, Walmart was hit by a lawsuit after a 5-year-old boy died within days of being infected by B. pseudomallei in a contaminated aromatherapy room spray.

According to the lawsuit, the boy was previously healthy before he was infected with B. pseudomallei in early July 2021.

The boy initially had symptoms like fatigue, nausea, vomiting, weakness, shallow breathing, and moderate dehydration. He tested positive for COVID-19, which may have delayed a correct diagnosis.

Tragically, he died only 1 week after falling ill. After he died, doctors discovered that he was infected with B. pseudomallei. Further testing confirmed that a bottle of Walmart’s aromatherapy spray contained B. pseudomallei. The product was later recalled.

The B Pseudomallei Lawsuit was filed on February 7, 2022 in the U.S. District Court for the Central District of California — Case Number 5:22-cv-00238.

Burkholderia Pseudomallei Infection

The symptoms of an infection with Burkholderia pseudomallei vary widely depending on what part of the body is infected. The most common type is a lung infection, but it can also infect the bloodstream, skin and soft tissues, organs, brain and spinal cord, and more.

Lung Symptoms of Burkholderia Pseudomallei Infection

Cough
Chest pain when breathing
Pus or blood in lung tissues
Headache
Fever
Muscle soreness
Weight loss
Misdiagnosis of tuberculosis, pneumonia or bronchitis

Burkholderia Pseudomallei Discovered on the Mississippi Gulf Coast

In July 2022, the Mississippi State Department of Health and the CDC announced that Burkholderia pseudomallei was discovered in soil samples from the Gulf Coast of Mississippi.

The investigation began after 2 people living on the Gulf Coast with no history of foreign travel were diagnosed with melioidosis. Soil samples collected around the patients’ homes tested positive for Burkholderia pseudomallei, according to the CDC investigation.

Mississippi State Epidemiologist Dr. Paul Byers warned:

“Typically, we see these bacteria in countries where the bacteria are endemic or where it normally occurs. Burkholderia pseudomallei normally occurs in tropical and sub-tropical areas like Southeast Asia or Central or South America. Because of the identification of this bacteria on the Mississippi Gulf Coast, persons at high risk for severe infection living on the Gulf Coast should take recommended precautions.”

Who Is At Risk?

Most healthy people who come in contact with Burkholderia pseudomallei will not develop melioidosis. People who have underlying health issues are more likely to develop a severe illness or infection. Examples of these health issues include diabetes, chronic kidney disease, chronic lung disease, or excessive alcohol use.

How To Avoid Infections With Burkholderia Pseudomallei

Avoid contact with soil or muddy water — especially after heavy rains, flooding or storms
Protect open wounds, cuts or scrapes with a waterproof bandage
Wear waterproof boots when gardening, doing yard work, or agricultural work. You can get infected through your feet or lower legs.
Wear gloves to protect your hands when working with soil

Do I have a Burkholderia Pseuodmallei Lawsuit?

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