Seven dead as far north Queensland aged-care hospital plagued with virus outbreak

Seven patients have died at the Herberton Hospital in Cairns plagued by a respiratory viral outbreak.

The most recent death at the aged-care facility was a 79-year-old man.

The presence of the human metapneumovirus (hMPV) was confirmed last month following the deaths of several elderly patients.

Cairns and Hinterland Hospital Service chief executive Julie Hartley-Jones said one dead patient tested positive to hMPV and several others displayed symptoms.

"There are four residents ... who currently have symptoms consistent with human metapneumovirus," she told The Cairns Post.

"However, they are recovering and remain in a stable condition."

Since the outbreak on January 18 infection control measures have been put in place.

Cairns Tropical Public Health Services director Dr Richard Gair said staff were continuing to monitor the outbreak and taking appropriate infection control precautions.

“We do not believe there is an increased risk to the broader community,” he said.