Music Festival Writsbands Could Kill People, Scientists Warn

People should immediately cut the music festival souvenirs that they continue to wear for months after the event, according to a team of scientists. The experts warn that continuously wearing the bands for over months allows the growth of microbes and germs over it.

The scientists believe that the accumulation of germs over the wrist bands could leave the person in boils, in addition to the other deadly risks. However, people tend to wear the bands for over several months, considering it to be a prized possession of a fashion statement.

During the laboratory test conducted by Dr Alison Cottell of the University of Surrey, it was found that the wrist band band possessed nearly 20 times more bacteria than clothes. The microbiology test conducted on the two bands from a fan's wrist, wore since the Reading Festival in 2013 has shown that it had nearly 9,000 micrococci and 2,000 staphylococci.

“Although these bacteria are normally found on skin, there was a surprisingly high number growing from the wristbands,” explained Cottell in a statement. “Staphylococci are usually harmless but can cause boils and also infect cuts and grazes. They can also cause acute food poisoning if they are ingested.”

Cottell further said that infections caused by the bacteria affect the ability of the wound to heal by itself. In rare cases, it may even lead to septicaemia. Even the hospital superbug, MRSA, is a staphylococcus which is not easily treated by antibiotics.

She urges people not to wear the wristbands if they work in food or healthcare industry. She believes that this will eliminate the risk of spread of bacteria and its associated infection.

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