CDC reports fatal melioidosis case in Georgia: What is the rare bacterial infection?

A person in Georgia has succumbed to a rare bacterial infection, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) announced Monday, but what is melioidosis and who is at risk?

Sequencing suggested the case was linked to three prior infections across Kansas, Texas and Minnesota, and cases involved both children and adults, the CDC said. Two out of four cases resulted in death and two of the patients had no risk factors, which are considered to be underlying medical issues such as diabetes, liver or kidney disease, and cancer.  While the bacterial strains closely matched cases found in South Asia, none of the patients had traveled abroad.  The CDC suggested the most likely cause behind the cases was an imported product, like food or drink, cleaning product or medicine, or an ingredient in the product.