Salmonella poisoning may have contributed to the recent deaths of two elderly people in a home and hospital run by the Western Health Board in Co Galway.
The board has confirmed three people in their 80s died coinciding with an outbreak of salmonella infection at St Brendan's Home, Loughrea, and two elderly people died during another outbreak in St Bridget's Psychiatric Hospital, Ballinasloe.
In a statement, the board said that of the five older people who died and were positive for salmonella, "we know that three patients died of unrelated conditions. In one other case, we are not able to say at this time whether salmonella was a contributory factor. The fifth patient had a post-mortem and the results are awaited". It was inappropriate to give further details of individual cases, it added.
The board stressed there had been no increase in the number of deaths at the two residential facilities. People who are already terminal or very compromised healthwise were vulnerable to any mild infection but it was rare that salmonella could be the direct cause of death, it noted.
More than 80 people in Galway have sought medical treatment for salmonella poisoning during the past few weeks due to four outbreaks.
The latest outbreaks and possible involvement of salmonella in the deaths of elderly people in Galway "are of great concern", according to the chief executive of the Food Safety Authority of Ireland, Dr Patrick Wall. Anyone caring for elderly people and infants "should be particularly vigilant" to source their produce from reputable suppliers and to have full confidence in them before accepting products.
Dr Maura O'Shea, the board's director of public health, said there was no direct evidence the deaths had resulted from salmonella poisoning but conceded it may have been a contributory factor.
Both catering staff and patients at St Brendan's were treated for salmonella infection symptoms. The deaths of the older people there took place about two weeks ago. It was not considered necessary to carry out post-mortem examinations to establish the exact cause of their deaths, she said.
Environmental health officers and medical officers were investigating outbreaks there and at two Galway city hotels. Some of the "at least 80 people" affected were hospitalised, she said. The investigation is attempting to establish if there is a link between the outbreaks, which are separate to seven other major outbreaks that occurred in July.
The Loughrea outbreak led to the withdrawal of a cooked ham product, which may have been the source of infection, it has been confirmed. This is no longer on the market, pending the outcome of the investigation.
The board's chief executive officer, Dr Sheelagh Ryan, said she was not in a position to comment on the circumstances of the deaths. The board was trying to find the origin of the infection and "full co-operation is being received from the food industry".
Salmonella typhimurium DT 104 has been identified in some cases as the causative organism. It is normally associated with raw meat and meat products, including poultry.
The board has underlined the need for thorough defrosting and cooking and strict hygiene when handling food.
Last month, 113 people were taken ill with salmonella poisoning after attending a barbecue in the Renmore Army Barracks, Galway. Galway Corporation was compelled to erect warning signs along the seafront in Salthill after traces of salmonella were discovered in the bathing water.