CDC Tracks Down a Killer - "Healing" Gemstones

[reACTIONary]

https://www.cnn.com/2021/10/23/health/aromatherapy-melioidosis-mystery/index.html



It was a mystery by any definition of the word -- a rare tropical infection that had sickened people in the decidedly non-tropical states of Minnesota and Kansas, as well as Texas. The first patient to get sick, in Kansas in March, died.

Using PCR -- polymerase chain reaction -- the same type of lab test used to amplify genetic material for coronavirus tests and crime scene investigations they found genetic material from the bacterial crime suspect: "Better Homes & Gardens Lavender & Chamomile Essential Oil Infused Aromatherapy Room Spray with Gemstones." The product had been manufactured in India and sold at Walmart.

It's not clear which ingredient in the spray may be the contaminant. It might the "gemstones," however.

"Rocks are collected from the environment and there's bacteria in the environment, so if the rocks weren't sterilized before they went in, that's a possibility. The other thing is the possibility that another component was contaminated and the rocks made a little micro-environment in that bottle for the bacteria to grow in. So the significance of the rocks we don't really know yet, but having rocks in a fragrance bottle is definitely unusual. So that's something I think we're interested in looking at."

[Shermann]

1. Those "healing" gemstones suck! nt