The so-called winter vomiting virus has been confirmed as the cause of an outbreak of illness at a community nursing home in Achill, Co Mayo at the weekend.
The HSE West said today the outbreak of gastroenteritis among residents and staff at St Fionnan’s nursing unit was due to norovirus.
Nineteen out of 32 patients at St Fionnan’s became ill and a number of staff members were also affected by the bug.
It is not yet clear whether the death of an Michael James Moran (89) at the unit last week is connected to the outbreak. No results have yet been made available following a post-mortem on Mr Moran’s remains.
A boil water notice was put in place on Saturday for those using the Achill regional water supply following the outbreak. The boil notice is now under review, the HSE said.
Provisional test results indicate that Mayo County Council may be in a position to lift the notice in the coming days.
Visiting restrictions are still in place at St Fionnan's and family members have been advised to make contact in advance of any visits.
The HSE said norovirus is a common infection in all communities.
“The most important public health advice is good hand hygiene. Hand washing is one of the easiest ways to reduce and prevent the spread of many infectious diseases including norovirus and the ‘flu.”
