{"id":750198,"date":"2026-02-08T08:37:19","date_gmt":"2026-02-08T08:37:19","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/750198\/"},"modified":"2026-02-08T08:37:19","modified_gmt":"2026-02-08T08:37:19","slug":"ukhsa-warning-to-stop-using-wipes-after-fatal-outbreak-2","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/750198\/","title":{"rendered":"UKHSA warning to stop using wipes after fatal outbreak"},"content":{"rendered":"

Some non-sterile alcohol-free wipes should not be used on broken or damaged skin, due to an ongoing risk of infection<\/a> that has killed one person<\/a>, health chiefs have warned.<\/p>\n

The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) and Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency<\/a> (MHRA) have urged people not to use certain wipes for first aid<\/a> and named four specific brands that should be avoided <\/a>and disposed of immediately.<\/p>\n

There have been 59 confirmed cases of Burkholderia stabilis – a bacteria<\/a> which can cause serious infections – associated with some non-sterile alcohol-free wipe products.<\/p>\n

An outbreak of the bacteria was identified in the UK from January 2018 to 3 February 2026, but a small number of cases continue to be detected – including some serious infections which have required hospital treatment and one death has been attributed to Burkholderia stabilis infection.<\/p>\n

Burkholderia stabilis is found in natural environments and is rarely a threat to healthy individuals and it is not passed on between people. But immunocompromised individuals, those with other risk factors such as cystic fibrosis and patients at home with intravenous lines, are at higher risk of developing infection.<\/p>\n

\"UKHSA<\/p>\n

UKHSA and MHRA have urged people not to use wipes for first aid and named four specific brands that should be avoided and disposed of immediately (stock image) (Getty Images\/iStockphoto)<\/p>\n

\u201cIf you have any wipes at home or work, double check they are labelled \u2018sterile\u2019 before using on broken skin,\u201d Dr Alison Cave, MHRA Chief Safety Officer, said.<\/p>\n

\u201cNon-sterile alcohol-free wipes, of any type or brand, should not be used for the treatment of injuries, wounds, or broken skin; and they should never be used to clean intravenous lines,\u201d Dr James Elston, Consultant in Epidemiology and Public Health at UKHSA, said.<\/p>\n

During outbreak investigations in 2025, the following products were found to be contaminated with Burkholderia.<\/p>\n