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AUSTRALIA - Four elderly people are dead after a salmonella outbreak at a Melbourne nursing home.
Victoria's Department of Human Services confirmed last night that three men and a woman, aged in their 70s and 80s, had died from food poisoning.
The outbreak was first detected on April 5 at Broughton Hall, a 30-bed government-funded nursing home and hostel in Camberwell.
Over the next seven days, 21 residents were affected and all had symptoms of salmonella-related gastroenteritis. Two people are recovering in hospital, including a 93-year-old woman who is in a stable condition.
"There has been four deaths associated with the outbreak," Dr Rosemary Lester, of the Department of Human Services, told a news agency.
"I am extremely concerned about the deaths and and all efforts are being made to ensure the safety of residents."
Dr Lester said she is confident the outbreak has now been contained following de-contamination of the nursing home's kitchen.
Last night food was being brought in for residents. Dr Lester was reported as saying no evacuation was necessary.
State and federal government authorities and Victoria's coroner will investigate the deaths.
Broughton Hall executive director Sharon McGowan said her priority was caring for the residents during what had been a difficult period.
"Our primary concern in the last week has been to care for the health and well-being of our residents, contain the outbreak and keep concerned family members informed," she said.
"We have today spoken to the families of the residents who died and they are most concerned that their privacy be protected.
"They have been universally supportive of the staff at Broughton Hall and the care their relatives have received here."
The news came after a norovirus, spread by a caterer, affected 75 Australasian players at a badminton tournament in Christchurch. The virus, which caused diarrhoea and vomiting, was spread at the opening night dinner of the under-17s tournament.
- AAP
