A voluntary and cautionary recall of sterile and non-sterile alcohol swabs manufactured by the Triad Group was announced in January 2011. The swabs include alcohol prep pads, alcohol swabs and alcohol swabsticks manufactured for various brand names. The pads may be contaminated with Bacillus cereus, which could lead to life-threatening infections.

Some swabs are sold in their own boxes, available through many drugstores, while some are packaged with injected prescriptions. People living with HIV and/or HCV should examine swabs that are packaged with their prescription HIV drug Fuzeon or with the HCV drug Pegasys. The swabs packaged with other injected drugs, such as Boniva and Nutropin, are also affected.

To identify which swabs should be discarded or returned to the store, people should look at the label for "manufactured by Triad Group." The swabs packaged under other brand names may not be marked like that and include: include: Boca/ Ultilet, Cardinal Health, Conzellin, CVS, Moore Medical, PSS Select, VersaPro and Walgreens. People can call with questions at 262-538-2900, M-F.