Flu killed care home residents

Influenza claimed the lives of six elderly people who died in a private nursing home, tests have revealed.

Eleven other residents at Nazareth House at Fahan, near Buncrana, Co Donegal, are also suffering with respiratory symptoms similar to the residents who died, health chiefs said.

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 launched after health chiefs were notified of the deaths which occurred between March 22 and April 2.