Seventh death amid Qld viral outbreak

A seventh person has died at a far north Queensland hospital plagued by a respiratory viral outbreak.

Authorities confirmed the presence of the human metapneumovirus (hMPV) at the Herberton Hospital late last month after the deaths of several elderly patients.

It's not thought all seven people died from the virus but the deaths have been reported to the coroner.

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

The most recent death was of a 79-year-old man on Tuesday.

"There are four residents ... who currently have symptoms consistent with human metapneumovirus," she said.

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

Herberton Hospital is a 36-bed long-stay unit which provides aged, respite and palliative care.

Tropical Public Health Services director Dr Richard Gair said most people contracted hMPV before the age of 10.

But elderly people with multiple illnesses were the most susceptible to the virus, which could cause a cough, sore throat, runny nose and fever.

The Herberton Hospital remained under infection-control procedures, including isolating patients who displayed symptoms.

The outbreak is not thought to be a risk to the broader community.

Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk has called the deaths unacceptable, while Queensland's chief health officer is investigating the outbreak response.

Dr Jeanette Young said her investigation had so far raised no issues but was ongoing.

"I went and looked at the facility ... it's one of the cleanest facilities I've been to, the patients are very well cared for," the chief health officer said.

"But in terms of all of the specifics I still have to work through all of that."

Health Minister Cameron Dick said clusters of deaths, although sad, did occur in hospitals and ensured Dr Young's investigation would be thorough.