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Flu outbreak at Donegal nursing home declared over

The flu outbreak at Nazareth House nursing home in Fahan, Buncrana, has been declared over by the Health Service Executive.

Seven elderly residents at the Co Donegal home died as a result of the outbreak.

All of the residents at the home who were suffering from symptoms of influenza have since recovered.

No new residents will be admitted to the home until a deep clean has been completed.

A spokesperson for the HSE said that "no further investigation is underway but we will be keeping a watching brief for the next week or so. A report will be written and it will be made available to the public as soon as possible."

Six residents, aged in their 80s and 90s, died at the Sisters of Nazareth care home between 22 March and 2 April as a result of the outbreak.

A seventh died in hospital on 8 April.

At one stage up to 14 residents at the 48-bed facility were infected and had to be segregated from other residents.

The HSE stressed today that while flu was a relatively mild infection in the general population, it was a "common cause of death in older people".

It urged people to follow simple measures such as covering the mouth, washing hands and disposing of tissues after coughing or sneezing.

It also advised people visiting older residents in nursing homes and healthcare staff to ensure their influenza vaccinations are up to date.