***02 April 2024 Update:

As of 21 March 2024, the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) and the multi-stakeholder Incident Management Team are satisfied that the risk associated with this outbreak has reduced. The Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) are satisfied that carbomer-containing lubricating eye products available on the UK market are safe to use. There is no longer an indication to avoid use of these products (aside from those that have been previously recalled). Therefore, the recommendation previously communicated to ‘avoid the use of all carbomer-containing eye products in individuals with cystic fibrosis, patients being cared for in critical care settings, the severely immunocompromised and patients awaiting lung transplantation’ is no longer required and has been stepped down.

The other recommendations within this National Patient Safety Alert remain. UKHSA has published further information on this outbreak in the Health Protection Report - Outbreak of Burkholderia cepacia complex associated with carbomer-containing lubricating eye products in the United Kingdom, 2023 to 2024 which can be accessed from the link below:

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/health-protection-report-volume-18-2024/hpr-volume-18-issue-3-news-14-march-2024#outbreak-of-burkholderia-cepacia-complex-associated-with-carbomer-containing-lubricating-eye-products-in-the-united-kingdom-2023-to-2024

Update ends***

UKHSA is investigating an outbreak of Burkholderia cenocepacia involving individuals across the UK. This is an emerging issue and, following testing, B. cenocepacia was recovered from some lubricating carbomer eye products.