Elderly patient dies following listeria outbreak

The pensioner was one of two patients at Antrim Area Hospital that contracted the food-borne bacteria.

Another acquired the bug in the Causeway Hospital.

The patient who died was already ill but listeria has been confirmed as a contributory cause of death.

Both hospitals are managed by the Northern Trust, which declared an outbreak on Friday.

The trust’s director of nursing Olive MacLeod said: “The person who died was a frail, elderly patient who had other illnesses but this listeria infection did contribute to their death.”

Listeria is usually associated with refrigerated food stuffs. Chilled meats, soft cheeses, cold cuts of meat, pates and smoked fish are all potential sources.

Ms MacLeod said a full investigation was under way but said the hospitals were satisfied with how cold food was managed.

She said listeria was “uncommon” in a hospital setting.

“Normally there would be between three to five cases of listeria per annum in Northern Ireland,” she added.

She continued: “Because these three cases have occurred within a short period of time, we are declaring an outbreak.”

A series of measures have been introduced in response to the outbreak with visitors to the hospitals being told not to bring food in from the outside.

“We are working with the Public Health Agency and Environmental Health Officers in relevant councils to conduct a detailed investigation of potential sources,” Ms MacLeod added.

She continued: “In the interim we have reviewed the cold food chain in the hospital and we are assured that our processes are robust and safe. We are also conducting a thorough review of the food received into the Trust.

“This work is complex requiring a multiagency approach and will take some time to complete.

“We are confident that the food in the hospitals is of the highest possible standard both when delivered to patients or in our restaurants however we ask that patients: wash their hands before eating; eat food as soon as it arrives; and dispose of any leftovers immediately.

“We would also ask that visitors support us by not bringing food into the hospital.”