Seven people have died in little more than a month at a small far north Queensland aged-care facility under investigation for the deadly outbreak of a flu-like illness.
In late January, authorities confirmed four elderly patients at the Herberton Hospital on the Atherton Tableland had died after contracting the respiratory illness human metapneumovirus (hMPV).
On Wednesday, Cairns Hospital and Health Service chief executive Julie Hartley-Jones announced seven patients had died at the 36-bed facility this year but said it appeared “not all of these” were caused by the virus.
“One of those who died tested positive to the virus, while several others displayed symptoms consistent with the virus,” she said in a statement.
“In the interests of being transparent with the families of those who have passed away as well as the far northern community, all seven cases will be reported to the coroner.”
The latest death was a 79-year-old man, whose family Ms Hartley-Jones expressed her “deepest condolences” to.
Queensland Health launched an investigation into the outbreak on January 24, and the state’s chief health officer, Dr Jeannette Young, flew north to the hospital this week.
The region’s director of public health, Dr Richard Gair, defended the facility’s response, saying infection control measures were put in place on the same day it became apparent there had been an outbreak of the virus.
“It’s not clear to me what else we could have done to prevent further cases,” he told ABC Radio on January 25.
Mick Virgo, whose 88-year-old father Col Virgo died of the disease on January 12, labelled the disease’s spread a “stuff-up”.
“It’s terrible how families have been kept in the dark, we’ve been told next to nothing,” he told News Corp.
“But the big question is why someone who was sick and contagious was put back into a ward instead of treated in isolation.”
At that time, six residents had symptoms of the virus and a further 11 staff members were unwell in the days after the outbreak was reported.
By Thursday, four residents still had symptoms but were recovering and in a stable condition, Ms Hartley-Jones said.
hMPV commonly circulates in the community but can be dangerous in older people, particularly those with other illnesses.
On Thursday, Dr Gair said a series of infection control measures remained in place at the long-stay facility, which provides aged care, respite and palliative care, including limiting visitors, restricting new admissions and isolating patients who displayed symptoms.
“Elderly patients with co-morbidities are among the most likely group of people to be severely affected by respiratory illness,” he said.
“We’re continuing to monitor the outbreak and take appropriate infection control precautions to minimise the risk of further cases within the hospital. We do not believe there is an increased risk to the broader community.”
– With AAP