A PRECAUTIONARY boil notice has been placed on an island water supply.
The instruction came as public health doctors and environmental health officers continued to investigate an outbreak of acute gastroenteritis at a community nursing unit (CNU) run by the HSE.
Nineteen out of 32 patients at St Fionnan’s CNU at Achill Sound, Co Mayo, were confirmed at the weekend as having become ill with suspected gastroenteritis which may be linked to the death of another patient at the home.
The deceased, Michael James Moran (89), from nearby Clare Island, was laid to rest yesterday.
A postmortem on Mr Moran was carried out at Mayo General Hospital in Castlebar on Friday. The results of tests are not expected to be available for some days.
Yesterday the HSE issued a statement explaining there had been no new cases of gastroenteritis among patients. Patients who showed symptoms on Saturday were stable and are showing signs of recovery.
All residents in the CNU are under the care of the local general practitioners and are being cared for by the nursing staff at the unit. Additional staff have been brought in to assist with the care of the residents.
All family members of the residents have been advised that there is an incident at the unit.
There are visiting restrictions in place and family members are advised to contact the unit in advance of any visits.