Six die from respiratory bug at Co Donegal nursing home

The Health Service Executive has tonight begun an investigation into the deaths of the six elderly patients at a Co Donegal nursing home.

The victims, five of whom have died in the last five days, are believed to have succumb to a "respiratory-type illness" at the Nazareth House nursing home in Fahan near Buncrana.

All residents at the home are currently receiving either active or preventative treatment, the HSE said tonight.

The HSE said it was fully investigating the matter and all appropriate treatment and control measures had been put in place.

It is understood there are about 39 residents at the home.

The HSE’s director of public health for the region, Dr Peter Wright, said health authorities were closely managing and monitoring the situation.

Dr Wright said respiratory illness was a common cause of death in older people.

“The HSE’s public health team will work closely with the nursing home management to determine the nature of the illness,” he said.

Blood samples from the patients have been sent to the National Viral Reference Laboratory for determination as part of the investigation.

The HSE has also requested that GPs report unusual clusters of respiratory illness.

Minister for Health James Reilly and Minister for Older People Kathleen Lynch released a joint statement tonight, saying they learned with regret of the deaths of the six patients.

Dr Reilly also said  he had discussed the matter with the Health Information and Quality Authority who planned to visit the home tonight and tomorrow to ensure that all action is taken in the best interests of the care and welfare of the residents and staff.

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