Management at Bilyara were forced to lockdown the facility on Thursday after a suspected outbreak of influenza.

The lockdown impacts 82 residents at Bilyara including 14 in the facility’s Ganya Cottage dementia unit.

Nine Bilyara residents are effected by the outbreak at this stage with pathology completed on three.

Bilyara chief executive office Ray Harris said it was the first occasion the facility had been closed due to influenza.

Mr Harris said staff were currently awaiting confirmation of influenza from the pathology tests.

Along with residents at the facility Mr Harris said the lockdown impacts 120 staff.

Two staff are off sick at this stage.

Mr Harris said staff are not being docked wages, sick leave or annual leave.

Seventy five residents at the facility received the flu vaccination this year as well as 23 staff who are provided with the optional vaccination free of charge.

Mr Harris said the two staff who are off ill did not take the vaccination.