Canada: Anti-microbial soap contaminated

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OTTAWA, Oct. 15 (UPI) -- Canadian officials said Avmor Ltd. is voluntarily recalling one lot of its Antimicrobial Foaming Hand Soap due to microbial contamination.

Health Canada's testing of the foaming hand soap -- used in private and public settings in offices, schools and hospitals by individuals -- detected the bacteria Pseudomonas aeruginosa, which might pose serious health risks, especially for those with weakened immune systems.

Canadians, who have bought or used this product, especially those with compromised immune systems, including people with cystic fibrosis, HIV/AIDS, cancer, burns, diabetes and severe lung disease, should stop using the soap or any other anti-microbial foaming hand soap that cannot be identified from a dispenser, officials at Health Canada said.

Those who have been affected by the product or if there are concerns about one's reaction to Antimicrobial Foaming Hand Soap, Triclosan 0.3 percent, should contact their healthcare practitioners, Canadian health officials said.

In healthy consumers, Pseudomonas group bacteria can enter the body through cuts, lesions and open burn wounds and may cause local infections, abscesses and blood infection. Additionally, the Pseudomonas species is also associated with eye and outer ear infections, Health Canada said.

For someone whose immune system, these bacteria can cause serious infections, including pneumonia, bone infections, urinary tract infections, gastrointestinal infections, meningitis and blood infections, officials said.