Have you ever gotten a cut or a wound and wondered how to clean it? You may use wipes, but which ones are safe to use? Should you use regular wet wipes? Should you use cotton pads dipped in water or ointment? What is the right way to clean wound? The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) and the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) have advised the pubic to stop using certain non-sterile alcohol-free wipes and to dispose of them. This has come against the backdrop of an investigation for Burkholderia stabilis outbreak. The investigation found that certain wipes were contaminated with Burkholderia stabilis. The following products have been found affected: ValueAid Alcohol Free Cleansing WipesMicrosafe Moist Wipe Alcohol FreeSteroplast Sterowipe Alcohol Free Cleansing WipesPublic health officials in the UK are urging people to check their first aid kits after certain alcohol-free cleansing wipes were found to be contaminated with a strain of Burkholderia stabilis. Although the contaminated strain identified in Reliwipe Alcohol Free Cleansing Wipes is not the same as that linked to recent outbreak cases, the products have been withdrawn from sale as a precaution.The wipes may have been used for skin cleansing or cleaning around wounds and could still be found in homes or first aid kits, despite no longer being on sale. These products are not routinely used within the NHS. People are advised not to use the wipes listed in the official recall notice and to dispose of them in household waste.Do Not Use Non-Sterile Wipes on Broken SkinOfficials stress that non-sterile alcohol-free wipes should never be used to clean wounds, broken skin, or intravenous (IV) lines, as they are not safe for these purposes. Instead, the public should follow NHS guidance for treating cuts and grazes and only use wipes clearly marked as “sterile” for cleaning areas where the skin is broken or bleeding.Patients with IV lines are advised to follow the care instructions provided by their medical teams. Those who have cystic fibrosis or manage IV lines at home should speak to their healthcare providers if they have concerns about their health or infection risks.Symptoms to Watch ForAnyone who has used non-sterile, alcohol-free wipes does not need to seek medical care unless they develop symptoms of infection, such as:Wound infection: redness, swelling, warmth, increased pain, or pus/drainage from the siteInfection involving an IV line: redness, swelling, or pain at the insertion site, along with fever or chillsOfficial Safety AdviceThe UKHSA offers the following guidance for safe wipe use:Use only sterile wipes on broken skin, wounds, or scratches to reduce the risk of germs entering the body.Check that your first aid kit contains only wipes labelled “sterile,” ensure the packaging is intact, and dispose of any out-of-date or damaged products.Only use wipes on IV lines if specifically instructed by your healthcare team.What Is Burkholderia Stabilis?The UKSA notes, Burkholderia stabilis is a bacteria found in natural environments. While it rarely causes infection in healthy individuals, it can pose serious risks to people with weakened immune systems, such as those with cystic fibrosis or patients with IV lines.From 2018 to 2025, there have been 51 confirmed cases of Burkholderia stabilis infection in the UK, now suspected to be linked to some non-sterile alcohol-free wipes. Although no deaths have occurred, some patients required hospital treatment for serious infections. No person-to-person spread has been detected.Coordinated Public Health ResponseUKHSA, the MHRA, and the NHS have been working together to address the outbreak. The MHRA has worked with manufacturers and distributors to stop the sale and supply of affected products. A safety alert has been issued to healthcare professionals, reminding them to follow infection prevention and control guidelines.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.”He added that testing of patient-used wipes helped identify the source, leading to a swift national safety alert.Regulatory ActionDr Alison Cave, MHRA Chief Safety Officer, emphasized that wipes intended for medical purposes are classed as medicines. These products do not have the necessary medicines authorisation, and steps are being taken to enforce compliance.“If you have these wipes at home or in a first aid kit, check the label and only use wipes marked as ‘sterile’ on broken skin,” Dr Cave advised. “Healthcare professionals should follow instructions provided in the national patient safety alert.”Anyone who has used alcohol-free wipes and is concerned about possible infection should speak to a healthcare professional.
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