Aged care home in lockdown
AN aged care home wing in Townsville has gone into lockdown to contain an outbreak of a respiratory disease.
Two patients at the Ozcare Villa Vincent home have been confirmed with human metapneumovirus.
Three more residents are also showing symptoms and families have been informed via text message.
The home’s management said that Queensland Health’s tropical population health unit was aware of two other nursing homes affected by the virus.
The virus can cause a severe infection in frail elderly people and to those with pulmonary and cardiovascular diseases or a weakened immune system.
Townsville public health unit director Steven Donohue said the situation was being monitored.
“The Townsville Public Health Unit is work
ing with Ozcare Villa Vincent to monitor two cases of human metapneumovirus in residents at the facility,” he said.
“Human metapneumovirus is an influenzalike illness affecting the respiratory system.
“There is no public health risk to the community and we are simply assisting Ozcare.”