An investigation into a flu outbreak that may have been deadly at a Salt Lake nursing home ended at midnight as the incubation period for flu passed with no new cases.
Since the outbreak began around Feb. 11, nearly one-fourth of residents became ill with flu, as did more than 10 percent of the staff. Six deaths may have been flu-related, although Salt Lake Valley Health Department officials are awaiting lab results on that. KSL-TV reported late Wednesday that four of the six had been confirmed as flu-related. To contain the outbreak, the center took steps such as serving residents' meals in their rooms, canceling group events and limiting visitors.
With no new cases in the past seven days, the investigation and special precautions are ending.
While health officials at both state and county levels would not name the facility involved, Woodland Park Rehabilitation Center issued a statement Wednesday saying it has had an outbreak of influenza and had been "vigilant over this because of the vulnerable and fragile nature of the elderly population at the facility."
It said the facility followed guidelines for containment that are part of its pandemic influenza response plan.
"Salt Lake Valley Pubic Health Department and the Utah Department of Health (have) been notified and we are working closely with everyone along with the facility's medical director and University of Utah Division of Epidemiology," the statement said. "All precautions have been followed for residents and employees to contain this outbreak. ... The facility is following all health department recommendations. Cost has not been a concern in dealing with the outbreak. The facility will do whatever is needed."
Salt Lake Valley health officials could not confirm that Woodland Park is the nursing home where the influenza outbreak and possible deaths occurred. But deputy director Dr. Dagmar Vitek said Tuesday that the facility had reacted immediately to limit exposure to the virus.
The statement suggests the outbreak occurred because the strain of flu they got was not one covered by the vaccine this year, but said it would defer to public health officials to determine if that was the case.
Utah Health Care Association deputy director Deb Burcombe said her organization got calls from care centers early Wednesday that were worried because sometimes facilities have staff members in common.
"While Woodland Park is not a member of the association and I cannot speak for them, I know we all share commitment to always maintain the health and safety of residents and the staff who care for them," she said. "This includes facilities that share staff between each other, their family and friends."
Because the "folks in these facilities are very vulnerable, we all try to keep them as safe and healthy as we can during flu season." It's also a job for loved ones and other visitors who need to take precautions to not bring illness into a long-term care facility.
E-mail: lois@desnews.com