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Infection caused by pigeon droppings linked to child's death at a Glasgow hospital

A child died at a Glasgow hospital after contracting an infection linked to pigeon droppings, it has been confirmed.

Scottish Health Secretary Jeane Freeman said the droppings were a “contributing factor” in the child’s death last year at the Queen Elizabeth University Hospital.

Another, elderly patient had also contracted the cryptococcal fungal infection, found primarily in soil and pigeon droppings, but Ms Freeman said it was not linked to their death.

The hospital has since put infection control measures in place, and officials insist it is safe for patients and visitors.

Ms Freeman said there was an "absolute focus on patient safety".

Two patients have died at the The Queen Elizabeth University Hospital, after contracting a fungal infection linked to pigeon droppings. (Getty Images)
Two patients have died at the The Queen Elizabeth University Hospital, after contracting a fungal infection linked to pigeon droppings. (Getty Images)

Ms Freeman said pigeon droppings appeared in a plant room on the hospital's rooftop via a small break in the wall, which was "invisible to the naked eye".

The likely source of the infection has been traced to a 12th floor room containing machinery, which is not open to the public.

Adding that it was still unclear how the bacteria had entered the ventilation system, she said a review would be carried out in the design, build, handover and maintenance of the flagship £842 million hospital.

Despite the hospital having only been constructed in 2015, Ms Freeman said there appeared to be a "number of instances" where the fabric of building was "less than satisfactory".

The health secretary spoke to the chief executive of NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde and senior clinical staff to seek reassurance for patients at the hospital.

She told MSPs: "In November, the bacteria cryptococcus was identified in one patient. That patient was discharged for palliative care and sadly subsequently died in late December - but cryptococcus was not a contributing factor in their death.

"In December, a post mortem of a child who had passed away confirmed that cryptococcus was both present and contributing factor in their death.

"I know I speak for the whole chamber when I say to both families that our thoughts and sympathies go to them."

She explained the second case triggered the introduction of additional infection control measures by NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde, including prescribing anti-fungal medication to "vulnerable patients" and the provision of additional air filters.

"I am confident the board have taken all the steps they should to ensure and maintain patient safety," she said.

Labour health spokeswoman Monica Lennon pressed Ms Freeman on when the the Scottish Government had been alerted to the issue, after reports an outpatient had contacted previous health secretary Shona Robison in March 2018 regarding problems with pigeons at the hospital.

Ms Freeman said a thorough search of records by both the Government and staff at Ms Robison's constituency office had found no trace of this letter.

The Health Secretary said: "The Government was first informed of the Cryptococcus infection in two patients on December 21.

"That was the right time for the Government to be informed because it was the post-mortem following the death of the child that identified the second case, and that second case is the trigger then for additional infection control action, therefore we were rightly informed."