Handbags ‘are infested with deadly bacteria and should be banned from hospitals’
Scientists found rage of 'extremely virulent' killer bugs including MRSA and Salmonella
HANDBAGS and make-up bags are riddled with deadly salmonella, E.coli and meningitis bacteria, say scientists.
Researchers called for a ban on women bringing handbags into hospitals after many were found to contain antibiotic-resistant superbugs.
Breeding ground . . . one of the bags tested by boffins
The study, commissioned by online beauty retailer escentual.com, discovered that more than a third of women have never cleaned out their handbag.
Researchers swabbed four beauty bloggers’ bags, and all tested positive to virulent strains of bacteria including food poisoning bug salmonella and Cronobacter, which causes neonatal meningitis.
Micro-biologist Paul Matewele, of London Metropolitan University, said: “I was really surprised at the high level of bacteria and that some of them are extremely virulent.”
He added: “Women are leaving themselves at risk of getting food poisoning, and there is a threat to babies, the elderly and hospital patients from these bags.
“There is little point making visitors use anti- bacterial hand washes when they come on to the ward if they are allowed to carry in a bag infested with bacteria.”
RELATED STORIES
Most of the bags submitted also tested positive for superbugs which are resistant to antibiotics and hazardous to hospital patients and people with compromised immune systems.
These included Serratia, which can cause respiratory and urinary tract infections and meningitis in hospital patients and E-coli, which causes stomach problems.
Scientists also found evidence of Enterococcus faecalis, the strain of bacteria which causes meningitis and septicemia and is one of the biggest killers of newborn babies.