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| Deadly bug 'is not from kitchens' | |
| (about 14 hours later) | |
| A health trust has said it is confident a listeriosis outbreak which contributed to three deaths did not come from its kitchens. | |
| An investigation is under way to find out how the listeria bug got into the Royal Victoria Hospital. | |
| Belfast Health and Social Trust said five patients were confirmed as suffering from listeriosis. Three who were ill with other conditions, died. | Belfast Health and Social Trust said five patients were confirmed as suffering from listeriosis. Three who were ill with other conditions, died. |
| The trust said the bug "had contributed to the deaths". | The trust said the bug "had contributed to the deaths". |
| It added, however, that "any risk to the wider community was small" and all the families had been contacted. | It added, however, that "any risk to the wider community was small" and all the families had been contacted. |
| The deputy medical director of the Belfast Health Trust, Kathy Jack, said: "We know that our kitchens are clean and that our food management systems are robust within the trust, and they are regularly inspected by environmental health officers. | |
| "We have taken the precaution of removing the high risk foods from the ward areas and our canteens while we conduct the investigation into the possible source." | |
| Listeriosis is caused by a common bug sometimes found in foodstuffs such as pate, soft cheeses, sandwiches and cooked meats. | Listeriosis is caused by a common bug sometimes found in foodstuffs such as pate, soft cheeses, sandwiches and cooked meats. |
| In normally fit and healthy people it can lead to short-term and self-limiting illness with symptoms such as mild fever and diarrhoea. | In normally fit and healthy people it can lead to short-term and self-limiting illness with symptoms such as mild fever and diarrhoea. |
| It can, however, cause more serious illness in people who are already ill from other causes, and among pregnant women. | It can, however, cause more serious illness in people who are already ill from other causes, and among pregnant women. |
| Investigation | Investigation |
| As a precautionary measure, some foods have been removed from patient menus in the Royal and other hospitals managed by the trust. | As a precautionary measure, some foods have been removed from patient menus in the Royal and other hospitals managed by the trust. |
| Belfast Health and Social Care Trust is leading the investigation with support from a range of expert agencies. | Belfast Health and Social Care Trust is leading the investigation with support from a range of expert agencies. |
| The trust said cases of serious illness caused by listeria remain very rare and it was investigating all possible causes, including external sources. | The trust said cases of serious illness caused by listeria remain very rare and it was investigating all possible causes, including external sources. |
| Relatives and patients are being asked not to bring food into the hospital and to only consume food provided to them on the wards at mealtimes by hospital staff. | Relatives and patients are being asked not to bring food into the hospital and to only consume food provided to them on the wards at mealtimes by hospital staff. |
| A trust information line, 0800 9801100, will remain open between 0900 and 1700 BST until further notice. | A trust information line, 0800 9801100, will remain open between 0900 and 1700 BST until further notice. |