Influenza claimed the lives of six elderly people who died in a private nursing home in Co Donegal, tests have revealed.
Eleven other residents at Nazareth House at Fahan, near Buncrana are also suffering with respiratory symptoms similar to the residents who died, health chiefs said.
The Health Service Executive said samples taken from residents tested positive for everyday influenza A (H3).
It also confirmed tonight that four of the six residents who died had been vaccinated for flu.
Experts, however, cautioned that vaccinations may not always match the winter virus as it returns each year in slightly altered strains.
The Sisters of Nazareth, the order of nuns who run the private home, expressed their deepest condolences on the passing of six residents.
“This is an extremely upsetting time for the families of the deceased and we continue to provide the residents at Nazareth Nursing Home with the highest standard of care,” said a spokesman.
A quarantine zone has been thrown up around the care home, which is off the main road between Buncrana and Derry.
The full scale investigation was initiated after health authorities were notified of the deaths which occurred between March 22nd and April 2nd.
Dr Peter Wright, director of public health in the HSE North West, said: “While flu is usually a relatively mild infection it can be a very serious illness among the elderly and is a common cause of death in older people.”
A total of 27 others have shown symptoms of the respiratory type illness, with all residents receiving either active or preventative treatment for influenza.
Officials will continue to manage and monitor the situation closely, he added.
Five of the residents died in “a cluster” over the past week, while five members of staff who also fell ill have since recovered. The average age of the residents who died is said to be 92.
Obituary notices show deaths of a number of residents at the Nazareth House over the past two weeks.
These include Margaret McGuire, formerly of Moneydarragh, Gleneely, and Carndonagh, and Bill Nicholl of Malin who were both buried this morning.
The funerals of Margaret Canavan, formerly of Malin Road, Moville and Mary Gill, of Ballybrack, Moville, were held on March 25th.
Michael Plunkett McVeigh, another resident who was originally from Church Street, Buncrana, died on March 29th at Letterkenny Hospital — the same day Bernard Breslin, of Redcastle in Donegal, died in hospital.
Concerned relatives gathered from early morning outside the home in the hope of visiting their loved ones.
Peter McLaughlin, Fine Gael councillor in Buncrana, said people in the area were concerned about the welfare of relatives in Nazareth House.
“There’s no information coming from the house to the people, to the family members of patients who are in there,” said Mr McLaughlin.
“The relatives do not know who is or isn’t showing symptoms.” Bereaved family members of patients who recently died are anxiously waiting for the results of tests, he added.
The Sisters of Nazareth said it had been working with officials from the HSE and the Health Information and Quality Authority watchdog, who were on site last night and throughout the day.
A team of doctors, nurses and surveillance scientists were also deployed to Nazareth House, with samples sent to the National Viral Reference Laboratory for determination.
“We are currently in the process of alerting the families of all those who are currently undergoing treatment to keep them fully informed of the ongoing situation,” the religious order added.
Dr Wright said people should be aware of the simple measures they can take to reduce the risk of infection of flu.
“These include covering your nose and mouth with a tissue when you cough and sneeze, disposing of the tissue as soon as possible and washing your hands with soap and water as soon as you can afterwards,” he added.
“People visiting older residents of the Nazareth nursing home and healthcare staff should ensure that their vaccinations for influenza are up to date.”
It is understood some people in nursing homes may not receive a vaccine for personal reasons and others because of other conditions they are being treated for.
A central plank of the inquiry into how the outbreak was handled will examine whether sick patients were being cared for next to unaffected residents and whether this contributed to the spread.
Four of the staff who were treated for flu have recovered since and gone back to work. Dr Wright added that concerns remain about a small number of residents being treated for the virus.
As far as health authorities have been able to ascertain, the outbreak has not spread to other care homes in the area.
Additional reporting PA