Four 'contaminated' wet wipes to avoid after six deaths linked to fatal bacteria outbreak

Following the tragic deaths of six Brits who used potentially contaminated skin cleansing wipes, questions have been raised regarding which brands are best avoided.

The string of fatalities came after an outbreak of Burkholderia stabilis infection, which lasted from January 2018 to February of this year.

As a reminder, Burkholderia are specific bacteria that are found naturally within the environment, including in the earth's soil and water. Infections occur when this bacteria enters the body through broken or damaged skin, which sterile alcohol-free wipes are traditionally used to clean.

Whilst rare, in circumstances involving vulnerable individuals, a run-in with these germs could prove deadly. Such is especially the case in patients suffering from weakened immune systems, those undergoing chemotherapy, organ transplant recipients and people with cystic fibrosis.

Six deaths have now been linked to the contaminated wipes (Getty Stock Images)

In a press release shared last month, the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) confirmed that 59 Burkholderia stabilis infection cases had been confirmed across the UK alone, all of which were linked with the use of non-sterile alcohol-free wipe products.

The ages of these patients reportedly varied from less than a year old to 93. A concerning 15 were under the age of 19.

The agency also initially claimed that one patient had died after being unable to fight off their infection.

"These products, which may have been used for 'skin cleansing' and cleaning in or around wounds, have been withdrawn from sale, but may still be found in some first aid kits and in people’s homes," the press release continued.

In light of the incidents, health experts issued warnings about a handful of specific alcohol-free wipe brands.

Despite being removed from shop shelves, doctors are concerned that four brands in particular might be hidden within someone's at-home first aid kit.

These are:

1. ValueAid Alcohol Free Cleansing Wipes
2. Microsafe Moist Wipe Alcohol Free
3. Steroplast Sterowipe Alcohol Free Cleansing Wipes
4. Reliwipe Alcohol Free Cleansing Wipes

Four brands have been removed from shop shelves (UKHSA)

It's important to note, however, that testing of the latter revealed that contamination with a Burkholderia strain was not related to the outbreak cases.

The death toll has since been bumped to an increasingly alarming six, with total cases also steadily having risen to 62, as per The Sun.

Of the new total, it is understood that Burkholderia was found within the blood of 38 people. In 16, it was discovered inside a wound they'd sustained.

UKHSA officials warned: "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."

The central symptoms linked to the outbreak involve redness around a wound, swelling, increased pain and warmth in the area.

In some cases, pus was observed leaking from the skin breakage.

If you're worried about the appearance of a wound, if it fails to heal after some time, or if symptoms mirror those of sepsis, doctors urge patients to contact 111 immediately.