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Initially, when the CDC is alerting physicians across the country to this finding through a national health alert, asking them to be on the lookout for signs and symptoms of melioidosis and to consider the disease in patients who show the symptoms.

Melioidosis is an infectious disease and is caused by direct contact with Burkholderia pseudomallei in contaminated soil or water. Symptoms include fever, joint pain and headache. The infection can lead to pneumonia and blood infections (sepsis).

Even though worldwide, melioidosis is fatal in 10 to 50% of those infected, and this bacterium has historically been found in tropical and subtropical areas, such as South and Southeast Asia, northern Australia and parts of Central and South America.