Salmonella hits 10 residents from the Helping Hand Lightsview aged care home in Northgate
SA HEALTH is investigating a salmonella outbreak at an Adelaide aged care home where 10 elderly residents have fallen ill, including three being hospitalised.
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SA HEALTH is investigating a salmonella outbreak at an Adelaide aged care home where 10 elderly residents have fallen ill, including three being hospitalised.
The outbreak of salmonella — which for the elderly can be fatal — struck down 10 residents, aged 81 to 98, from the Helping Hand Lightsview aged care home, in Northgate.
SA Health confirmed it was investigating the source of infection and was yet to determine the cause, but it was believed to be an “isolated and localised” incident.
One woman, who wished to remain anonymous, said her 96-year-old mother “was lucky to be with us” after becoming violently ill on Wednesday, last week.
The elderly resident was rushed to hospital — where she remains — after suffering from diarrhoea, vomiting, shaking and with a dangerously high temperature of nearly 40 degrees.
“It’s knocked her for six. She’s lucky to be with us,” the woman told The Advertiser.
“Mum hasn’t eaten since last Monday, she’s bedridden and weak.
“She can’t lift her legs or arms. She’s not normally like that.”
Royal Adelaide Hospital doctors confirmed her mother had salmonella poisoning, which the woman believed was caused by a quiche made by kitchen staff at the aged care home.
She aired frustration at the way the matter was handled by the aged care home, after asking on-site nurses to notify the hospital on the outcome of a biopsy they had taken.
“I would’ve liked to have known the outcome and so would have the RAH doctors, two days prior to them (the doctors) getting their own results,” she said.
“She’s 96 so everyday becomes more precious than ever.”
The woman said a notice at the aged care home last week notified there was a gastro outbreak, but her mother’s doctor confirmed her case was the more serious type of food poisoning.
“I understand others have been taken to hospital and girls working at Lightsview are flat chat with people that need help and trying to manage it on site,” she said.
“I wonder if other family members have been notified of this, because I never got a letter about it.”
Helping Hand Lightsview communication director Samantha Giorgatzis confirmed three residents from the 110-bed aged care home had been hospitalised with salmonella poisoning.
“SA Health and the local council have had inspectors come through and checked all systems and equipment and haven’t been able to identify the fault, source or issue to date,” Ms Giorgatzis said.
“There have been no new cases since Friday, March 31.”
Port Adelaide Enfield Council, which was investigating the case with SA Health, said in a statement there was no ongoing risk to South Australians from the incident.
There have been 481 cases of salmonella in SA this year.