Respiratory illness in Donegal Nursing Home

2^nd April, 2012

It was reported to the HSE last night that six deaths have occurred in a private nursing home in Buncrana, Co Donegal between the 22^nd March and the 2^nd April 2012.  Five of these deaths occurred in a cluster over the past five days.  It has been reported that these deaths may have been as a result of a respiratory type illness.

The HSE is fully investigating the matter and all appropriate treatment and control measures have been put in place.

All residents in the nursing home are currently receiving either active or preventative treatment.

Dr Peter Wright, Director of Public Health, HSE North West said “The Public Health Department in HSE North West is closely managing and monitoring the situation.  Respiratory illness is a common cause of death in older people.  The Public Health team will work closely with the Nursing Home management to determine the nature of the illness. Samples have been sent to the National Viral Reference Laboratory for determination.”

The HSE’s Public Health Departments request that GPs report unusual clusters of respiratory illness.

For information on managing colds and flu-like illness, visit our FLU SECTION.