Infection At Home Investigated

Newcastle Herald

Wednesday September 8, 2004

GR

AN investigation has begun into the possible connection between a breakout of respiratory infection and the death of residents at the Bethel Aged Care facility at Waratah.

Hunter Health was told about the widespread illness at the facility on Monday and is working with its managers to monitor segregation measures.

It is also investigating the cause of the illness and links to the death of "some" residents.

A Hunter Health spokeswoman and a spokesman from Bethel would not reveal the number of people who had died or been taken to hospital since flu-like symptoms of fever and coughs became apparent in residents last week.

They said about 20 of the 48 residents had shown the symptoms.

The Bethel spokesman said ward isolation to minimise the infection's spread started on Thursday.

© 2004 Newcastle Herald

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