Wet wipe warning: Life-threatening bacteria detected in UK wet wipes leaving one dead
The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) is warning people across Britain to avoid using four brands of wet wipes ‘under any circumstances’ after life-threatning bacteria detected leaving one dead
UKHSA has issued an urgent warning over wet wipes following 59 cases of Burkholderia stabilis (B. stabilis).
These have included some serious infections and one death from 2018 to February 3 this year.
The affected wipes have been withdrawn from sale, but there are fears people may have them in first aid kits at home.
Wet Wipe products to avoid
These are the products which were found to be contaminated with the strain of Burkholderia stabilis causing the current outbreak:
ValueAid Alcohol Free Cleansing Wipes
Microsafe Moist Wipe Alcohol Free
Steroplast Sterowipe Alcohol Free Cleansing Wipes
Reliwipe Alcohol Free Cleansing Wipes: Testing also revealed contamination of a Burkholderia strain in this product, but it is not related to the outbreak cases.
The UKHSA said: “These products, which may have been used for ‘skin cleansing’ and cleaning in or around wounds have been withdrawn from sale, but may still be found in some first aid kits and in people’s homes. “Patients should be advised to check for these wipes in their home, including in first aid kits.
“Those who still have any of the affected products should stop using them immediately and dispose of them in standard household waste.
“Health and care providers are also advised to proactively check that any first aid kits being used in routine care do not include these items. If found, they should be immediately removed from use and disposed of appropriately.”
Patient groups at highest risk include:
patients managed at home with intravascular devices
immunocompromised individuals
individuals with other risk factors such as cystic fibrosis
No person-to-person transmission has been identified.
The wipes are alcohol-free and not marked as “sterile” – meaning they aren’t completely free of germs.
Though the risk of acquiring an infection is low, bacteria from the wipes may enter your body if you use them on broken or damaged skin, or to clean medical devices such as intravenous lines.
Burkholderia stabilis is a type of bacteria found naturally in soil and water which doesn’t harm most people but can cause serious infections in some.
In severe cases, a Burkholderia stabilis infection can result in sepsis – an extreme immune response to an infection that can cause tissue damage, organ failure and death.
The MHRA first issued warnings to sellers, health professionals and patients about the contaminated products in June last year, and they were pulled from shelves
Infection symptoms
Symptoms of a Burkholderia stabilis infection can vary depending on what part of the body is affected and how severe it is.
Look out for:
Symptoms of a wound infection like redness, swelling, increased pain, warmth around the cut, pus or other drainage
Symptoms of an intravenous line infection, like redness, swelling, or pain around the insertion site and / or fever and chills
Symptoms of sepsis (for more severe cases) such as pale, blotchy skin, a rash that doesn’t fade when a glass is rolled over it and difficulty breathing
