27 in care home are hit by flu virus that killed six

A TOTAL of 27 residents of a care home have been affected by a flu outbreak that has killed six elderly people.

NHS Tayside said yesterday the influenza A virus had been confirmed as contributing to the death of six residents of the Orchar Nursing Home in Broughty Ferry, Dundee.

Police have launched an investigation and the health board’s health protection team has worked on the inquiry after a GP passed on concerns about the deaths to NHS Tayside.

The health board said on Sunday that five deaths had been linked to the outbreak, but yesterday it issued a statement confirming flu had contributed to the deaths and a sixth person had died.

A spokesman for NHS Tayside said: “A total of 27 residents are known to have been affected and this includes the six residents who have died.

“All appropriate infection control measures have been put in place in the care home and there is no increased risk to the wider public.

“Where appropriate, residents have been offered antivirals, which can reduce the severity and infectiousness of influenza in those affected.

“Relatives who are visiting sick residents are being asked to take extra infection control precautions while at the care home.”