UKHSA Burkholderia Stabilis Risk Guidance – Check Your First Aid Kits

UKHSA Burkholderia Stabilis Risk Guidance – Check Your First Aid Kits

Dear Colleagues,

The UKHSA UK Health Security Agency – GOV.UK is investigating an outbreak of Burkholderia Stabilis involving individuals across the UK, linked to wipes. There have been fifty-nine confirmed cases of Burkholderia Stabilis, and one death associated with the infection.

Wipes used in first aid kits should be individually wrapped and sterile, in compliance with British Standard BS8599-1.

There will be a variety of First Aid kits in many workplaces and CWU branches around the UK.

The UKHSA and MHRA Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency – GOV.UK are urging the public and workplace first aiders to check your first aid kit and ensure you have appropriate sterile products for treating wounds.

The direct public advice is to not use four specified non-sterile alcohol-free wipe products, due to the risk of infection associated with their use. If you have the products listed below, UKHSA advice is not to use them and to dispose of them in your household waste as a precautionary measure given the potential for contamination.

• • ValueAid Alcohol Free Cleansing Wipes
  • Microsafe Moist Wipe Alcohol Free
  • Steroplast Sterowipe Alcohol Free Cleansing Wipes
  • Reli Wipe Alcohol Free Cleansing Wipes

For familiarity purposes, images of the above specified products can be viewed via the link below.

What is Burkholderia stabilis, and why should I check my first aid kit? – UK Health Security Agency

Key messages:

• Do not use non-sterile alcohol-free wipes on broken or damaged skin – these are not suitable for wound care.
• Seek advice and support from trained first aiders for any workplace sustained cuts or wounds.
• Seek medical attention for significant injuries or wounds that show signs of infection.

CWU engagement via local workplace health and safety committees is encouraged wherever possible, with primary focus on First Aid risk assessments and local First Aid risk control for workplaces.

The Health and Safety (First Aid) Regulations 1981 states: “An employer shall provide or ensure that there are provided such equipment and facilities as are adequate and appropriate in the circumstances for enabling first aid to be rendered to his employees if they are injured or become ill at work”.

Regular Checks

Regular checks of First Aid kits are crucial to ensure that the contents are complete, in good condition, and ready for use. It is recommended that a thorough inspection of a workplace First Aid kit is carried out at least monthly

Further HSE guidance on the application of the First Aid at Work Regulations is shared alongside this LTB.

This LTB is shared on behalf of CWU Central Services.

If you have any questions or need any further information, please contact:

Jamie McGovern FRSPH MIIAI 

CWU Health & Safety Policy Assistant at jmcgovern@cwu.org.

LTB 045 2026- UKHSA Burkholderia stabilis risk guidance_

HSE guidance – first aid at work regulations 1981

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