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TTwo patients died after contracting a fungal infection with pigeon droppings in a hospital.
NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde (NHSGCC) has launched an investigation into the death of a patient at Queen Elizabeth University Hospital in Glasgow, whose cause remains to be determined.
The health board said that the second affected patient – an elderly person – had died as a result of another problem.
Control measures were immediately put in place after the detection of both cryptococcal cases.
A spokesman said, "Our thoughts are with families in this difficult time.
"Because of the confidentiality of the patient, we can not give more details on both cases.
"The body is harmless to the vast majority of people and rarely causes disease in humans."
The infection is caused by the inhalation of Cryptococcus fungus, mainly present in soils and pigeon droppings.
The NHSGCC stated that a probable source had been found in a non-public area, away from the gates and that feces had been removed.
The board of health said that a small number of adult patients and children vulnerable to infection were receiving medications, which has proven to be effective.
Teresa Inkster, NHSGCC Senior Consultant for Infection Control, said, "Cryptococci live in the environment around the world and rarely cause infections in humans.
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