LISBON, Sept. 28 (Xinhua) -- Five elderly residents have died at a care home in southern Portugal following an outbreak of influenza A, local health authorities said Sunday.
The Local Health Unit of Central Alentejo (ULSAC) said that its Multipurpose Emergency Service had received nine patients from the care home since Wednesday. Among these patients, three died, with laboratory tests confirming the virus in two of the deceased. Three others had been discharged from hospital, while three remain hospitalized, it added.
The three hospital deaths brought the total number of fatalities linked to the outbreak to five, following two earlier deaths at the care home.
The ULSAC public health department visited the care home in Estremoz, in the Evora district, on Thursday and has been conducting epidemiological surveillance, including monitoring compliance with infection control measures, hygiene protocols, isolation procedures and the use of personal protective equipment.
A follow-up visit on Sunday afternoon found no new cases or clinical deterioration among the remaining residents.
Portugal's Attorney General's Office confirmed that an inquiry had been opened into the deaths, with no suspects formally identified so far. ■
