Flu outbreak caused six deaths in the last two weeks at Nazareth House, Fahan, near Buncrana, with the most recent occurring on Monday.

According to the Health Service Executive, eleven other residents at Nazareth House are also suffering with similar respiratory symptoms like the residents who died. Health chiefs have reported that the tests conducted on residents resulted positive for everyday influenza A (H3).

"While flu is usually a relatively mild infection it can be a very serious illness among the elderly and is a common cause of death in older people", said Dr Peter Wright, director of public health in the HSE North West.

He assured that they will manage and monitor the situation themselves. The Sisters of Nazareth order, which runs the home, have expressed their condolences to the families of the people who died.

According to a spokesman, "This is an extremely upsetting time for the families of the deceased and we continue to provide the residents at Nazareth Nursing Home with the highest standard of care." Anti-viral treatments against flu have been given to all of the residents. Health chiefs believe the outbreak has not spread to other care homes in the area.

The care home, which is off the main road between Buncrana and Derry, in Northern Ireland has been declared a quarantine zone. The investigation for the cause of death was launched after health chiefs were notified of the deaths that occurred between March 22 and April 2.