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Six Deaths Linked to Contaminated Wipes
6 Mar
Summary
- At least six deaths are associated with using contaminated skin cleansing wipes.
- 59 confirmed and three probable cases of infection have been identified.
- The outbreak is linked to non-sterile, alcohol-free skin cleansing wipes.
As of February 2026, at least six deaths have been linked to the use of potentially contaminated skin cleansing wipes. Health authorities identified 59 confirmed and three probable cases of infection by the bacteria Burkholderia stabilis (B. stabilis).
Five confirmed and one probable case died within 30 days of detection of B. stabilis. One death was directly attributed to the infection. The affected individuals, aged 0 to 93, were from across the UK, with 15 aged 19 or under.
Officials discovered B. stabilis in four brands of non-sterile, alcohol-free skin cleansing wipes. Three of these originated from the same UK manufacturing site. While the overall risk to the public is very low, the outbreak is ongoing, and affected products have been withdrawn from sale.
Authorities remind the public not to use these wipes on injuries, wounds, or broken skin, nor for cleaning medical devices like intravenous lines. While most people are not harmed by B. stabilis, it can cause serious infections, including sepsis, in vulnerable individuals with weakened immune systems.
