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Scottish Sun
04-08-2025
- Health
- Scottish Sun
Warning over skin cleansing wipes not marked as ‘sterile' after three brands spark outbreak of life-threatening bacteria
What to do if you have the wipes at home - and warning signs of an infection HIGH ALERT Warning over skin cleansing wipes not marked as 'sterile' after three brands spark outbreak of life-threatening bacteria Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) HEALTH chiefs are warning Brits to urgently dispose of three types of skin cleansing wipes after they were linked to outbreaks of life-threatening bacteria. An investigation by the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) found three brands of non-sterile wipes to be contaminated with Burkholderia stabilis bacteria. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 3 Wet wipes included in first aid kits may be contaminated with bacteria, health chiefs warned Credit: Getty Fifty-one people were confirmed to have been affected by the outbreak in the UK between 2018 and 2025. Though it hasn't caused any deaths, "there have been some serious infections which have required hospital treatment", the UKHSA said. Officials now suspect the cases were linked to specific skin wipe brands. UKHSA advised people who've bought affected wipes for 'skin cleansing' and wound cleaning purposes to stop using them and bin them immediately to avoid contamination. Bacteria was found in the following products: ValueAid Alcohol Free Cleansing Wipes Microsafe Moist Wipe Alcohol Free Steroplast Sterowipe Alcohol Free Cleansing Wipes The wipes are alcohol-free and not marked as 'sterile' - meaning they aren't completely free of germs. Testing also revealed contamination of Reliwipe Alcohol Free Cleansing Wipes, although not with the Burkholderia strain linked to the outbreak. Packs of the wipes have been pulled from shelves and are no longer for sale. The UKHSA also issued a safety alert to health professionals about recent infections potentially being linked to contaminated wipes to help keep patients safe. But UKHSA warned that wipes may also have been included in first aid kits. It urged customers to look through first aid kits and check packs they already have in their homes. Burkholderia stabilis is a bacteria found in natural environments and rarely causes infection in healthy people. The bug poses only a low risk to the general population, the UKHSA said. 3 ValueAid Alcohol Free Cleansing Wipes were included in alert Credit: ValueAid 3 As were Steroplast Sterowipe Alcohol Free Cleansing Wipes Credit: Steroplast But people with weakened immune systems and cystic fibrosis, or those who use intravenous lines at home, are at higher risk of infection. Dr James Elston, consultant in epidemiology and public health at UKHSA, said: "While the overall risk to the public remains very low, a number of non-sterile alcohol-free wipe products have been linked to an outbreak of Burkholderia stabilis. "It is important these types of wipes are not used for the treatment of injuries, wounds, or broken skin, and that they are not used to clean intravenous lines." If you have used non-sterile wipes, you don't have to get medical help unless you have symptoms of: A wound infection, which can include redness, swelling, increased pain, warmth around the wound and pus An intravenous line infection, which can include signs such as redness, swelling, or pain around the insertion site and or fever and chills The health watchdog stressed that other non-sterile, alcohol-free wipes not included in the alert shouldn't be used for treating injuries, wounds or on broken skin anyway, as "their safety cannot be guaranteed". 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 Dr Alison Cave, the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency's (MHRA) chief safety officer, said: "We consider wipes which are intended for a medical purpose to be medicines. "These products do not have a medicines authorisation. "Anyone who has used alcohol-free wipes and has concerns about potential infection is advised to speak with a healthcare professional." UKHSA stressed that you should only use wipes marked as 'sterile' on broken skin such as wounds, scratches, or where you can see blood, to reduce the chances of germ entering the body and causing infections You should also check that your first aid kit contains wipes marked as 'sterile', disposing of any wipes with damaged packaging or past their expiry date.
Daily Record
04-08-2025
- Health
- Daily Record
Brits told to bin three brands of wet wipes now in urgent bacteria warning
These non-sterile alcohol-free wipes may risk infection to the user. Three brands of wet wipe have been flagged as risks to the public. The UK Health Security Agency issued a warning that they have been contaminated with bacteria. The health agency is urging the public to avoid using the non-sterile alcohol-free wipes due to the risk of infection, and to dispose of them as soon as possible. While overall risk to the public is low, households should check their cupboards for the wipes, which should be binned and not used. The infected wipes included products from ValueAid, Microsafe and Steroplast. 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. These products are not routinely used in the NHS. "If you have these products [listed below], you are advised not to use them and to dispose of them in your household waste as a precautionary measure given the potential for contamination." The Mirror reports that the following products have been found to be affected: ValueAid Alcohol Free Cleansing Wipes Microsafe Moist Wipe Alcohol Free Steroplast Sterowipe Alcohol Free Cleansing Wipes The wipes have been infected with Burkholderia stabilis, a type of bacteria which usually doesn't affect those with healthy immune systems, but can pose risks to those who are immunocompromised or have weaker immune systems. Dr James Elston, Consultant in Epidemiology and Public Health at UKHSA, said: "While the overall risk to the public remains very low, a number of non-sterile alcohol-free wipe products have been linked to an outbreak of Burkholderia stabilis. "It is important these types of wipes are not used for the treatment of injuries, wounds, or broken skin, and that they are not used to clean intravenous lines. "UKHSA uncovered the link to this outbreak through testing of wipes used by patients and worked quickly to notify health professionals through a patient safety alert, reinforcing existing infection prevention and control guidance. When treating cuts and grazes, it is important to follow NHS advice." The public are also being reminded that "non-sterile alcohol-free wipes should not be used for the treatment of injuries, wounds or on broken skin, nor should they be used for cleaning intravenous lines, as they are not appropriate for these purposes and their safety cannot be guaranteed." Dr Alison Cave, MHRA Chief Safety Officer, said: "We consider wipes which are intended for a medical purpose to be medicines. "These products do not have a medicines authorisation, and we are taking appropriate action to ensure compliance with the requirements of the applicable legislation governed by MHRA. "If you have these wipes at home or in a first aid kit, please check the label and only use wipes marked as 'sterile' on broken skin. Healthcare professionals are advised to follow instructions and information provided in the national patient safety alert from UKHSA. "Anyone who has used alcohol-free wipes and has concerns about potential infection is advised to speak with a healthcare professional." Join the Daily Record WhatsApp community! Get the latest news sent straight to your messages by joining our WhatsApp community today. You'll receive daily updates on breaking news as well as the top headlines across Scotland. No one will be able to see who is signed up and no one can send messages except the Daily Record team. All you have to do is click here if you're on mobile, select 'Join Community' and you're in! If you're on a desktop, simply scan the QR code above with your phone and click 'Join Community'. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. To leave our community click on the name at the top of your screen and choose 'exit group'.
Daily Mirror
04-08-2025
- Health
- Daily Mirror
UKHSA urgent bacteria warning as public urged to avoid three wet wipe brands
Midsection Of Woman Holding Wet Wipe The UK Health Security Agency has urged the public to avoid using three wet wipe brands following a contamination outbreak. UKHSA has said the public should not use certain non-sterile alcohol-free wipes due to the risk of infection, and must dispose of them. The following products have been found to be affected: ValueAid Alcohol Free Cleansing Wipes Microsafe Moist Wipe Alcohol Free Steroplast Sterowipe Alcohol Free Cleansing Wipes The health agency 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. "These products are not routinely used in the NHS. If you have these products (listed above), you are advised not to use them and to dispose of them in your household waste as a precautionary measure given the potential for contamination." This is a breaking news story. Follow us on Google News, Flipboard, Apple News, Twitter, Facebook or visit The Mirror homepage.
