Also known as Whitmore disease, infection caused by the gram-negative bacterium Burkholderia (Pseudomonas) pseudomallei is typically found in South Asia and northern Australia and has clinical manifestations including pneumonia, septicemia, and local infiltration in various organs.

The CDC has confirmed a new fatal case of the rare disease melioidosis in Georgia that is linked to three previous cases in different states. The cases have included adults and children. Two of the four patients had no known risk factors for melioidosis; two died.

The bacteria normally lives in moist soil and water, and is spread in both animals and humans through contact with the affected source.

Although healthy people may get melioidosis, underlying medical conditions may increase the risk of disease. The major risk factors are diabetes, liver or kidney disease, chronic lung disease, cancer or another condition that weakens the immune system.

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