Six elderly people have died in a North-West nursing home during an influenza outbreak, director of public health Dr Mark Veitch has confirmed.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
He said it was a “sad event” for the families affected, but could occur among frail people during an influenza season.
"Elderly people are susceptible to influenza, particularly if they have chronic medical conditions.,” he said.
"For this reason, Public Health Services wrote to all nursing homes in Tasmania earlier this year reminding them to prepare for the influenza season, recommending vaccination of residents and staff and reminding them of the national influenza outbreak guidelines.”
He said the nursing home – reported to be the Strathdevon aged care facility in Latrobe, near Devonport – advised Public Health Services of this outbreak.
“Advice and support was provided in accordance with national guidelines,” Dr Veitch said.
“The influenza season in Tasmania this year has been moderately severe. Tasmanians are reminded to stay away from schools, work and health and aged care facilities if they are unwell.”
Uniting AgeWell confirmed there was an Influenza A outbreak at its Strathdevon aged care facility in Latrobe from August 9 to 16, which was cleared on August 30.
“Six residents at Strathdevon who had been diagnosed with Influenza A and who had underlying health conditions, passed away during this outbreak,” a statement from the aged-care provider said.
“All precautions to prevent an outbreak ahead of the flu season were taken, with 95 per cent of Strathdevon’s 37 residents receiving a flu vaccination.”
All staff were also offered a free vaccine which saw “a large number” immunised.
Despite the precautions 31 of the residents were affected during the outbreak period, with nine residents admitted to hospital for further treatment.
“All health, hygiene and safety precautions were taken to minimise the spread of infection during the outbreak, including the use of personal protective equipment, isolation of residents, restriction of visitors and unwell staff instructed to remain at home,” the statement said.
There had been more than 1500 confirmed influenza cases in Tasmania so far this year.
RELATED STORIES:
On August 31, Dr Veitch said there had been 1536 “laboratory-confirmed” flu cases in Tasmania so far in 2017.
Health Minister Michael Ferguson said he had “full confidence” in the Tasmanian Director of Public Health and Public Health Services in supporting the community generally during the “very difficult” flu season.
“I again remind everybody to take precautions against flu, including immunisation for anyone over six months of age especially those at risk of severe flu, and simple measures such as regular hand-washing, covering coughs and sneezes, and avoiding others when ill,” Mr Ferguson said.
According to the Pharmacy Guild of Australia’s Tasmanian president John Dowling this year’s flu season has been a “severe” one, as a particularly virulent strain of the virus continues to tighten its grip on the nation.
He claimed that the strain of the flu virus currently causing problems was potent enough that it could still affect people who are immunised.
Pat Sparrow, the chief executive of Aged and Community Services Australia, the peak body for not-for-profit aged care providers, extended sympathies to those families mourning the loss of their loved ones.
“Providers have infection control programs in place, in line with guidelines issued by state departments of health, and work proactively to safeguard residents and staff,” she said.
“Providers encourage staff to be immunised through their own in-house immunisation programs, in accordance with those recommended by the Department of Health and Ageing. Many of those programs are either paid-for by the provider or subsidised.”
She said aged-care providers were supported throughout the flu season with advice and support including the relevant communication from health departments regarding any outbreaks.
