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| Version 0 | Version 1 |
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| Flu outbreak kills seven residents at Victorian aged care home | Flu outbreak kills seven residents at Victorian aged care home |
| (5 months later) | |
| Residents, aged from 70 to 94, died at Wangaratta’s St John’s retirement village, while another 100 people are ill | |
| Australian Associated Press | |
| Fri 1 Sep 2017 04.08 BST | |
| Last modified on Wed 20 Sep 2017 18.59 BST | |
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| An influenza outbreak has swept through a regional Victorian aged care home, killing seven residents and leaving another 100 people ill. | An influenza outbreak has swept through a regional Victorian aged care home, killing seven residents and leaving another 100 people ill. |
| The residents, aged between 70 and 94, died at Wangaratta’s St John’s retirement village during the fortnight up until Wednesday. | The residents, aged between 70 and 94, died at Wangaratta’s St John’s retirement village during the fortnight up until Wednesday. |
| “We are at the peak of one of the worst flu seasons ever and the elderly are one of highest-risk groups,” Victorian chief health officer Dr Brett Sutton said on Friday, confirming the deaths. | “We are at the peak of one of the worst flu seasons ever and the elderly are one of highest-risk groups,” Victorian chief health officer Dr Brett Sutton said on Friday, confirming the deaths. |
| The residents who died had other conditions that made them particularly susceptible, Sutton said. | The residents who died had other conditions that made them particularly susceptible, Sutton said. |
| Another 100 people – residents and staff – at the retirement village were also sick with the flu, but the outbreak was now subsiding, the health department said. | Another 100 people – residents and staff – at the retirement village were also sick with the flu, but the outbreak was now subsiding, the health department said. |
| “Sadly, for the frail – and people with underlying health conditions – the flu can be very serious,” Sutton said. | “Sadly, for the frail – and people with underlying health conditions – the flu can be very serious,” Sutton said. |
| There have been more than 11,300 cases of influenza in Victoria this year. About 800 people die of the flu each year in Victoria, according to the health department. | There have been more than 11,300 cases of influenza in Victoria this year. About 800 people die of the flu each year in Victoria, according to the health department. |
| Data from the national flutracking survey shows the season appears to have peaked after a reasonably bad year for the rate of reported symptoms. | Data from the national flutracking survey shows the season appears to have peaked after a reasonably bad year for the rate of reported symptoms. |
| Looks like flu has peaked across most of Australia. "moderate" year not the "biggest flu year ever" from @Flutrack perspective #publichealth pic.twitter.com/ztg3vA0KSi | Looks like flu has peaked across most of Australia. "moderate" year not the "biggest flu year ever" from @Flutrack perspective #publichealth pic.twitter.com/ztg3vA0KSi |
| Sutton reiterated the importance of simple measures to combat the highly contagious viral infection, which is spread by contact with fluids from coughs and sneezes. | Sutton reiterated the importance of simple measures to combat the highly contagious viral infection, which is spread by contact with fluids from coughs and sneezes. |
| “Good hand hygiene is strongly recommended to visitors to assist in controlling any spread of flu,” he said. “This is a timely reminder to all visitors that washing their hands with soap before visiting loved ones in aged care or hospital is extremely important.” | “Good hand hygiene is strongly recommended to visitors to assist in controlling any spread of flu,” he said. “This is a timely reminder to all visitors that washing their hands with soap before visiting loved ones in aged care or hospital is extremely important.” |
| Anyone who was sick should avoid visiting, Sutton said. | Anyone who was sick should avoid visiting, Sutton said. |
| Health | |
| Flu | |
| Health | |
| (Society) | |
| Victoria | |
| Older people | |
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