Four elderly people have died following a respiratory virus outbreak at an aged care hospital near Cairns.

Tests have confirmed the presence of human metapneumovirus (hMPV) at Herberton Hospital where another eight residents and 15 staff are ill.

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Health authorities visited the hospital on Tuesday after a respiratory illness was detected.

The region’s director of public health, Dr Richard Gair, said residents and staff were tested for a range of infections before hMPV was positively identified.

Dr Gair said the hospital has taken precautions to stop it spreading further, including limiting visitors, restricting new admissions and asking unwell staff to stay home.

Cairns Health and Hospital Service will continue to monitor the outbreak and take appropriate infection control precautions to minimise the risk of further cases, he said.

Thirty-six people live at the Herberton Hospital, which provides aged care as well as respite and palliative care.

It’s believed those who died were aged in their 90s.

Elderly people are more susceptible to the virus, which is spread from person to person.

Severe symptoms include wheezing, difficulty breathing, hoarseness, cough and pneumonia.