Urgent warning over contaminated wet wipes after death of six people
At least six deaths have reportedly now been linked to using potentially contaminated skin cleansing wipes in the UK.
Last month, Brits were warned to avoid specific brands of alcohol-free wipes, following an outbreak of Burkholderia stabilis infection which took place between January 2018 and February of this year.
Burkholderia are a type of bacteria found naturally in the environment, including in soil and water.
While many people never encounter problems with this type of bacteria, it can cause serious infections in certain circumstances, particularly among vulnerable individuals.
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The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) shared a press release on 5 February, revealing that there had been 59 confirmed cases of the bacteria identified in the United Kingdom, which have been associated with several non-sterile alcohol-free wipe products, as well as one recent death.
Since 2018, five people with confirmed cases of Burkholderia stabilis infection have died, as well as one person with a probable case.
The UKHSA explained that the affected products have been withdrawn from sale, but some that were bought previously may still be found in first aid kits or in people's homes.
These products are wipes that are not labelled as 'sterile,' with the health agency specifically advising people to check for these wipes in their home, including in first aid kits:
- 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 cases)
Reporting on the matter in the journal Eurosurveillance, UKHSA experts said: "As of February 2026, 59 confirmed cases and three probable cases have been identified.
"Five confirmed and one probable case died within 30 days of detection of B. stabilis. One death was attributed to their Burkholderia infection."
Reportedly, the patients were aged between 0 and 93, and 15 of them were aged 19 or younger.
Of the 59 cases, in 39 people the bacteria were found in their blood, and in 16, it was found in a wound.
31 victims have been hospitalised, and 13 had weakened immune systems.
There were also three instances of cases sharing a common healthcare provider or services.
Almost 200 products were tested, and officials discovered the bacteria in the four brands of skin cleansing wipes, which 'originated from the same UK manufacturing site'.
They warned: “The B. stabilis outbreak is ongoing and associated with non-sterile alcohol-free skin cleansing wipes.”
The UKHSA previously said: "If you have any of these products, stop using them immediately and dispose of them in standard household waste.
"It is important to only use wipes marked as ‘sterile’ on broken skin such as wounds, scratches, or where you can see blood - this reduces the chances of germs getting into the body and causing infections."
Madison Burgess