BRITS have been warned against using four brands of skin cleansing wipes “under any circumstances” over fears they could be contaminated with a deadly bacteria.
Health chiefs said at least 59 people had fallen ill, leaving one dead.
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Types of alcohol-free cleansing wipes were linked to the outbreakCredit: UK Health Security Agency
There’s still “an ongoing risk of infection associated with their use” and the bacteria burkholderia stabilis (B. stabilis), the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) and Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) added.
While the affected wipes have been withdrawn from sale, some may remain in first aid kits in people’s homes, according to the UKHSA.
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.
The 59 people were confirmed to have been affected by the outbreak in the UK between January 2018 and February 3 this year – eight more than was reported in August last year.
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“These have included some serious infections which have required hospital treatment and one death has been attributed to Burkholderia stabilis infection,” the MHRA and UKHSA said in their alert.
Dr James Elston, consultant in epidemiology and public health at UKHSA, said: “We are reminding the public not to use, and to dispose of, certain non-sterile alcohol-free wipes which have been linked to an outbreak of Burkholderia stabilis.
“The overall risk to the public remains very low, and affected products have been withdrawn from sale.
“However, we are continuing to see a small number of cases in vulnerable patients, and we are now aware of one associated death.
“Non-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.”
The four products, which should not be used under any circumstances, include:
- ValueAid Alcohol Free Cleansing Wipes
- Microsafe Moist Wipe Alcohol Free
- Steroplast Sterowipe Alcohol Free Cleansing Wipes
- Reliwipe Alcohol Free Cleansing Wipes (testing revealed contamination with a Burkholderia strain not related to the outbreak)
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.
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.
People were warned against ValueAid Alcohol Free Cleansing WipesCredit: ValueAid
Steroplast Sterowipe Alcohol Free Cleansing Wipes were also recalled for fear of contaminationCredit: Steroplast
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.
But people may still have the wipes in first aid kits at home.
The UKHSA and MHRA told people to check through their first aid kits and supplies.
How to clean wounds, cuts and grazes
You can treat a cut or graze yourself by stopping any bleeding, cleaning the wound, and covering it with a plaster or dressing.
This will help stop it getting infected.
What to do if the wound is bleeding a lot
- Check the wound and make sure there’s nothing stuck in it.
- If there’s nothing in the wound, put pressure on it using a bandage or a clean, folded cloth (such as a tea towel) for 10 minutes.
- If there’s something stuck in the wound, do not try to take it out. Make sure not to press down on the object. Press firmly either side of it to push the edges of the wound together.
- If the wound is on your hand or arm, raise it above your head. If the wound is on your lower limb, lie down and raise it above the level of your heart. This will help reduce the blood flow.
- When the bleeding has stopped, firmly wrap a new bandage over the first cloth or bandage.
- If the wound keeps bleeding, leave the first bandage in place and add another one. Keep pressing firmly on the wound for another 10 minutes.
How to clean and dress a cut or graze
If the bleeding has stopped, you can clean a small wound and then put a plaster or dressing over it.
- Wash your hands thoroughly and dry them. Put on disposable gloves if you have some.
- Clean the wound by rinsing it with bottled or tap water, or by using sterile wipes.
- Clean the skin around the wound using soap and water or antiseptic – but try not to get antiseptic into the wound.
- Pat the area dry using a gauze swab or a clean tea towel.
- Put on a sterile dressing or a plaster.
Keep the dressing clean by changing it as often as you need.
You can take it off after a few days, once the wound has closed.
Source: NHS
If you have any of the above products, stop using them immediately and throw them away to avoid contamination.
Dr Alison Cave, MHRA chief safety officer, added: “If you have any wipes at home or work, double check they are labelled ‘sterile’ before using on broken skin.
“Follow the advice of your clinical team, GP or community nurse in the care of your intravenous line.”
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
Contact NHS 111 if you’re worried about a wound not healing properly or if you’ve developed a fever after an injury.
People at higher risk of serious illness from Burkholderia stabilis include those with a weakened immune system, people with cystic fibrosis and patients with intravenous lines at home.
