Nursing home flu deaths rise to seven

The number of patients who have died as a result of a flu outbreak at a Co Donegal nursing home has risen to seven.

Another elderly resident at Nazareth House in Fahan died yesterday morning.

The patient passed away at Letterkenny General Hospital where they were being treated since their condition had deteriorated in recent days.

A total of seven patients are still showing signs of having the potentially lethal strain of flu and are being monitored by the Health Service Executive.

However, a spokesman for the HSE said that five of these patients were showing definite signs of improvement.

Up to 14 patients had been receiving treatment after showing signs of the flu including anti-viral medication.

Four members of staff had also been treated for signs of the condition but none of these are believed to be in a serious condition.

Another patient at the nursing home which overlooks the shores of scenic Lough Swilly died on Friday last at the home, but this was not believed to be directly related to the flu.

All those who have died have been in their 80s and 90s including a nun, Sister Eugene Fullerton, who had lived at the home for the past 11 years.

Sister Eugene’s sister, Kathleen, is also staying at the home but it cannot be confirmed if she is one of the patients suffering form the outbreak of flu.

Health Minister Dr James Reilly is expected to order a full enquiry into the deaths at the home which had enjoyed a very good reputation.

Local TD Joe McHugh has said it is the least the victims and the families of those who have died deserved.

He was commenting after it was reported that it wasn’t until five deaths at the nursing home that the HSE were informed of the problem.

“There is no question that Nazareth House is an excellent facility but there has to be an enquiry into the circumstances surrounding these deaths.

“Part of this will have to be the timeframe of the reporting of these deaths to the HSE,” he said.