The following is issued on behalf of the Hospital Authority.
The spokesperson for Kwong Wah Hospital (KWH) made the following announcement today (February 6):
Two babies (one girl and one boy, both aged 35 days) of a Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) of KWH were identified as carriers of Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) without clinical symptoms by routine screenings on January 16 and 30 respectively. In accordance with the prevailing infection control guidelines, the hospital has performed screenings. Two more babies (one girl and one boy, aged 11 days and 14 days respectively) of the same ward were confirmed to be MRSA carriers without any symptoms of infection. The babies are in stable condition and are being treated in isolation. The hospital had informed their family members.
The hospital is very concerned about the incident and is investigating the source of infection. Moreover, the hospital has performed enhanced medical surveillance and screening of the patients in the NICU. The following infection control measures have been stepped up according to established guidelines:
- Thorough cleaning and disinfection of the NICU, including the environment, incubators, equipment and instruments;
- Enhanced medical surveillance of the patients and environmental screening procedures in the NICU; and
- Applied stringent contact precautions and enhanced hand hygiene of staff. Family members are reminded that infection control measures must be implemented before visiting their babies.
The cases have been reported to the Hospital Authority Head Office and the Centre for Health Protection for necessary follow up.
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