A cat caused an infection scare after it entered a hospital and was found lying in a linen closet, according to an article on the BBC website.
A deep clean was ordered after the cat's activities came to light at Epsom Hospital in Epsom, England.
The Sun newspaper published pictures of "Monty" on a desk and in a stand-off with a rat "within hospital grounds," but health trust officials denied staff were keeping it as a pet. Officials also and said the affected area had been decontaminated.
The report in The Sun alleged staff bought the Burmese a basket, food and scratch pad and let him prowl around the emergency room. The Sun also said concerned hospital bosses "went nuts" when they discovered the cat and fired a staff member after an investigation.
Hospital officials said when they discovered an animal had entered one of its sites, an investigation was immediately launched. Additional CCTV cameras were installed in a storage area of the hospital.
Avoiding Mistakes in Healthcare Site Selection
Can Rural Hospitals Be Saved?
Ascension Saint Thomas Breaks Ground on Hospital and Health Campus in Tennessee
The Hidden Risks of QAC Disinfectants in Healthcare Facilities
Sprinkler Compliance: Navigating Code Mandates, Renovation Triggers and Patient Safety