Flu-like illness at Carmarthenshire residential home 

Public Health Wales is investigating an outbreak of flu-like illness at a residential home in Carmarthenshire.

 

Twenty-one out of the 35 residents of the home have been ill with flu-like symptoms since 10 April 2012.

Five of the 21 ill residents have been hospitalised and one has died. It has not been confirmed that this death is due to flu.  

The remaining residents of the home have been offered the antiviral Tamiflu because they are either already unwell or to prevent them from becoming unwell.

Dr Mac Walapu, Consultant in Communicable Disease Control for Public Health Wales, said: “In view of the rapid spread and high attack rate of this illness, it is most likely to be influenza.

“We have also recently had outbreaks of influenza in nursing homes in Swansea.

“Flu circulates in the UK between October and April and is not uncommon to see outbreaks in closed communities like nursing homes, where the disease can spread easily.

“People with flu will usually experience a fever, chills, headache, body aches and fatigue. 

“Fit and healthy people will usually recover from flu without any complications and without needing medication.  However, in elderly people flu can be more serious and therefore we have treated residents at this home with Tamiflu as a precaution.”

Seasonal flu vaccination is offered every year to people over 65, pregnant women and people with chronic conditions that make them vulnerable to complications, and it is strongly recommended that eligible people are vaccinated.

Public Health Wales does not release any details that would identify patients involved in outbreaks and asks the media to respect their privacy.

More information on flu is available from the Public Health Wales website at: http://www.wales.nhs.uk/sitesplus/888/page/43745

Sheila Porter, Carmarthenshire’s Head of Primary, Community and Social Care, said:  “We are working very closely with Public Health Wales to support residents, visitors and staff by providing information, advice and reassurance. We would like to thank staff for their continued commitment and support, and hope that anyone affected will make a full and quick recovery. Sadly, one of our residents has passed away and although the death is not confirmed as linked to the flu-like illness, we extend our deepest sympathies to the family who we will continue to support.”