by Linda McGrory
A FLU outbreak that claimed the lives of seven
elderly residents at a Buncrana nursing home has
been declared over.
The HSE confirmed today that the outbreak at
Nazareth House, Fahan, was officially declared over
on Saturday, April 14. It said a report into the
outbreak would be made public.
All residents at the home who were suffering from
symptoms of influenza have since recovered, the HSE
added.
However, no new residents will be admitted until a
deep clean is completed.
"Residents will be admitted once a terminal clean
has been completed," said a HSE spokesperson.
"No further investigation is underway but we will be
keeping a watching brief for the next week or so. A
report will be written and it will be made available
to the public as soon as possible."
Six residents aged in their 80s and 90s, died at the
Sisters of Nazareth care home between March 22 and
April 2 as a result of the outbreak. A seventh died
in hospital on April 8.
At one stage up to 14 residents were infected and
had to be segregated from other residents.
The HSE today added that while flu was a relatively
mild infection in the general population, it was a
"common cause of death in older people". It urged
people to follow simple measures such as covering
the mouth, hand-washing and disposing of tissues
after coughing or sneezing.
It urged people visiting older residents in nursing
homes and all healthcare staff to ensure their
vaccinations for influenza are up to date. |
