Warning issued to not use these four alcohol-free wet wipes 'under any circumstances' after deadly infection
One death has been attributed to the outbreak 🚨
- Stop using these four alcohol-free wipes after an infection outbreak.
- UK Health and Security Agency (UKHSA) has found the wipes are contaminated with Burkholderia stabilis.
- One death has been linked to the outbreak.
Members of the public are being warned not to use four non-sterile alcohol-free wet wipes, ‘under any circumstances’, due to an ongoing risk of infection confirmed by the UKHSA.
There have been 59 confirmed cases of Burkholderia stabilis identified in an outbreak from January 2018 to February 3, 2026. Associated with the use of four non-sterile alcohol-free wipe products, a small number of cases continue to be reported.
There have been some serious infections requiring hospital treatment, and one death has been attributed to Burkholderia stabilis infection.
The UKHSA and MRHA advise that non-sterile alcohol-free wipes should not be used for first aid, applied to broken or damaged skin and should never be used for cleaning intravenous lines.
Dr Alison Cave, MHRA Chief Safety Officer, said: “Patient safety is the MHRA’s top priority. The MHRA issued notices to sellers of specific products in July, resulting in their withdrawal from sale. 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.”
What is Burkholderia stabilis?
Burkholderia stabilis is a bacteria found in natural environments. The risk to the general population is very low; however, those who are immunocompromised or have other risk factors, such as cystic fibrosis, or patients at home with intravenous lines, are at higher risk of developing infection.
What wipes have been recalled?
During outbreak investigations in 2025, four non-sterile alcohol-free wipes were found to be contaminated with Burkholderia.
Members of the public are being urged to check if they have these four wipes in their first aid kits or at home. Anyone who still has any of the affected products below should stop using them immediately and dispose of them in standard household waste.
- 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)
These four products should not be used under any circumstances. In July, the products were withdrawn from shops due to associated risks; however, some wipes may remain in first aid kits and people’s homes.
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.
“UKHSA uncovered the link to this outbreak through testing of wipes used by those affected and worked quickly to notify health professionals through a patient safety alert in June 2025. We have provided a further update to reinforce infection prevention and control guidance. When treating injuries or cleaning intravenous lines, it is important to follow NHS advice.”
You can find out more information about how to treat injuries safely at NHS.UK.