state veterans' home in Rocky Hill, Connecticut: 18 veterans to the hospital on Monday, with six being diagnosed with a "special" strain of flu

HARTFORD, Conn. (WTW) — An outbreak of influenza at the state veterans' home in Rocky Hill sent 18 veterans to the hospital on Monday, with six being diagnosed with a special strain of flu.

State Veterans' Affairs Commissioner Linda Schwartz told The Associated Press that the veterans were taken to Hartford Hospital after a number began complaining of flu-like symptoms. The 18 men live at the Connecticut State Veterans Home in either the Sgt. John L. Levitow Veteran's Health Center or a residential facility.

The six diagnosed veterans came from the health care facility and Schwartz said they were in stable condition. She was uncertain how long they will remain under observation at the hospital, saying it will depend on how they respond to treatment.

"We haven't heard anything terrible," she said of their current condition. "It's the respiratory kind. Many of our veterans are frail and elderly, so it's very risky." Read More