Death toll from mystery illness in Toronto now 16

Last Updated Wed, 05 Oct 2005 21:57:08 EDT
CBC News

The death toll from a mysterious respiratory disease afflicting a seniors' home in Toronto has increased to 16, making it the deadliest nursing home outbreak in at least five years.

Despite the increasing death toll, which officials said could still climb higher, Toronto's medical officer of health, Dr. David McKeown told a news conference on Wednesday the outbreak is winding down.

"This is not SARS," Dr. McKeown said. "The outbreak is confined to residents and staff and people closely associated with this one facility, so it's not a general public health risk," he said.

Dr. McKeown said the six new deaths are not new cases. He said "all of these elderly individuals had been previously identified as cases and had underlying medical conditions."

In all, 70 residents, 13 employees and five visitors have been affected, although no new cases were reported Wednesday.

Health officials have ruled out SARS, avian flu and influenza and are awaiting further lab results. Dr. McKeown said it is possible they may never be able to identify the virus.

The 38 people in hospital, including two employees and two visitors to the home, have been placed in isolation. Residents with less severe symptoms are recovering at the nursing home, which is closed to visitors and new patients.

The rising fatalaity rate cast an unwelcome spotlight on the city still shaking off the damage from the SARS outbreak in 2003 which killed more than 40 people and cost the city's economy more than one billion dollars.

A typical online headline said "Mysterious outbreak kills six more in Toronto." CNN flew in a four-person news crew from Chicago and New York to cover the story.