Published Thursday, 31 May 2012
A deep clean is being carried out at a cardiac unit of the Royal Victoria. (© UTV)
Belfast Trust confirmed the situation regarding the Serratia Marcescens bug - which can present as a urinary or respiratory tract infection - in a statement on Tuesday.
On Thursday, the health minister told UTV efforts to tackle the outbreak were underway.
"One person had died who was in the cardiac unit," Edwin Poots said. "But it may not be associated."
It is understood the bug is highly unusual and dangerous to those who are already seriously ill, while other people would not be so vulnerable.
Seven people had tested positive for the infection.
The unit has not been closed, but some patients' operations may have to be rescheduled.