Flu deaths in Australia

Australia: Flu spreads through disability centres

A fatal influenza outbreak at two Hunter disability centres is continuing to spread, with more people contracting the illness.

ABC,

4 August, 2012

Already three deaths have been reported at Newcastle's Stockton Centre and the Kanangra Centre at Morisset over the past week.

Another five people were diagnosed with a respiratory illness yesterday and tests are expected to confirm they have succumbed to H3N2 strain which would make a total of 56 cases at the two centres.

Both centres remain in lockdown with strict infection controls now in place for the 450 residents.

Hunter New England Health is urging people with flu like symptoms not to visit hospitals or aged care facilities.

The Health network says a daily assessment is being made of the residents.