The warning comes from the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) and the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA), which say the overall risk to healthy people remains low. However, they stress that contaminated wipes should never be used on wounds, damaged skin or intravenous lines because they can introduce harmful bacteria into the body.
Which wipes are affected?
Officials have advised people to stop using the following products immediately if they are still in their possession:
- ValueAid Alcohol Free Cleansing Wipes
- Microsafe Moist Wipe Alcohol Free
- Steroplast Sterowipe Alcohol Free Cleansing Wipes
- Reliwipe Alcohol Free Cleansing Wipes*
*Reliwipe was found to contain a different Burkholderia strain that was not linked to the outbreak cases but should still not be used for wound care.
These wipes were marketed as non-sterile cleansing products rather than sterile medical wipes. Health experts say only products clearly labelled “sterile” should be used on broken skin, cuts, grazes or around medical devices.
Why is Burkholderia stabilis a concern?
Burkholderia stabilis is naturally found in soil and water and rarely causes illness in healthy people. The greatest risk is to individuals with weakened immune systems, people living with cystic fibrosis, patients using intravenous lines at home and anyone with open wounds or damaged skin.
According to UK health authorities, infections linked to the contaminated wipes have ranged from wound infections to bloodstream infections requiring hospital treatment. Investigators have confirmed that the outbreak is connected to contaminated wipes rather than person-to-person spread.
What should you do?
| Action | Reason |
|---|---|
| Check first-aid kits | Some withdrawn products may still be stored at home. |
| Stop using affected wipes | Dispose of them in normal household waste. |
| Use sterile wipes for wounds | Sterile products reduce the risk of introducing bacteria. |
| Seek medical advice if symptoms develop | Prompt treatment may help prevent serious complications. |
Symptoms can vary depending on where the infection develops. Increasing redness, swelling, pain, discharge, fever or feeling generally unwell after using cleansing wipes should not be ignored, particularly in babies, older adults or people with weakened immune systems.
What the investigation means for consumers
The ongoing investigation highlights that the warning applies to a limited number of non-sterile alcohol-free cleansing wipes rather than all wet wipes sold in shops. Authorities have not advised people to stop using properly manufactured sterile medical wipes or standard hygiene products that are not included in the alert.
The outbreak has continued despite earlier public health warnings because some affected products remained in circulation after being withdrawn from sale. That is why UKHSA continues to encourage households, care providers and workplaces to inspect first-aid kits and remove any affected wipes immediately.
If you regularly follow product safety alerts, you may also want to read our report on the nationwide eye drops recall.
Consumers looking for official recall or safety notices should rely on updates issued by the UKHSA, MHRA or other national health authorities rather than social media posts or unofficial lists. Keeping first-aid supplies up to date and replacing non-sterile wound-care products with sterile alternatives remains the safest approach.
For official product safety information in the United States, consumers can visit the FDA recalls and safety alerts page.
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