Concerns raised for remaining patients at quarantined nursing home

Health chiefs remain concerned about a small number of residents who are ill at a private nursing home where six people have died in a suspected viral outbreak.

Eleven elderly people in Nazareth House at Fahan, near Buncrana, Co Donegal, are suffering with symptoms similar to other residents.

Peter Wright, director of public health, Health Service Executive North West, said there are concerns some residents could develop complications with existing conditions.

"This is a very elderly population. The residents there would have many different conditions so a respiratory condition on top of that would have serious consequences," he said.

"Influenza is a serious illness and we do see fatalities from it. We would be concerned about a small number of these people."

Five members of staff at the home also fell ill but have since recovered, health chiefs said.

Results of tests for the suspected virus are expected to be confirmed late this afternoon.

Concerned relatives gathered from early morning at the home, which has been quarantined, in the hope of visiting their loved ones.

All of those who died in the outbreak over the past two weeks were over the age of 80, it is understood.

Five died in "a cluster" from a suspected respiratory-related infection over the past week, said the HSE.

It is believed 27 other residents have shown signs of illness in the care home, overlooking Lough Swilly, which had been run by the Sisters of Nazareth, a religious order of nuns.

Swabs have been taken from the affected elderly residents which have been sent for analysis in Dublin.

Dr Darina O'Flanagan, director of the Health Protection Surveillance Centre, said it is suspected the deaths were as a result of a virus.

This could be a particular strain of influenza prevalent this year, which was more likely to affect older people.

"If this is flu, there is a type of virus this year that is more associated with the elderly," she said.

Anti-viral treatments have been given to all of the residents.

Microbiologist specialists were part of a team of health officials also sent to the home.

A quarantine zone has been thrown up around the care home, which is off the main road between Buncrana and Derry.

All of the residents, both men and women, are believed to be over the age of 80 years.

A full scale investigation was launched after health chiefs were notified of the deaths which occurred between March 22 and April 2.

The HSE said it was notified last night.

Health Minister James Reilly and Older People's Minister Kathleen Lynch issued a statement saying they had learned with regret of the deaths and are being kept fully informed.

Samples have also been sent to the National Viral Reference Laboratory for determination.

Officials from the Health Information and Quality Authority watchdog are also on site today.

The ministers both expressed their condolences to the families of the dead residents.