Board denies major outbreak of salmonella

THE Western Health Board has denied there has been a major, outbreak of salmonella food poisoning at the University College Hospital in Galway.

A hospital spokesman rejected reports that 12 people were infected, but added: "There has been a low level outbreak of salmonella infection in the hospital, with six cases to date over a four week period."

Some infection may have arisen from food brought into the hospital. Patients are being given only cooked food and visitors have been asked not to bring in food, the spokesman confirmed.

"While such occurrences always give rise for concern, this incident is not of the level of severity indicated in some newspapers."