Cluster of Multi-drug Resistant Acinetobacter cases in Alice Ho Miu Ling Nethersole Hospital

The following is issued on behalf of the Hospital Authority:

     The spokesperson for Alice Ho Miu Ling Nethersole Hospital made the following announcement today (January 18):
 
     A 64-year-old male patient in a medical ward was confirmed as a Multi-drug Resistant Acinetobacter (MDRA) carrier in a screening on January 7. In accordance with the prevailing guidelines, the hospital commenced contact tracing and confirmed four other patients (one male and three female, aged 83 to 93) as carriers of MDRA. An 85-year-old male patient passed away earlier due to his underlying disease while the other patients are currently under isolation and are in stable condition.
 
     Visiting arrangements have been suspended following the activation of the Emergency Response Level in public hospitals. The following enhanced infection control measures have been adopted according to the established guidelines:
 
     1. Enhanced patient admission and discharge screening as well as environmental sampling;
     2. Application of stringent contact precautions and enhanced hand hygiene of staff and patients; and
     3. Enhanced cleaning and disinfection of the environment and facilities of the ward concerned.
 
     The hospital continues to monitor the situation of the ward concerned closely. The cases have been reported to the Hospital Authority Head Office and the Centre for Health Protection for necessary follow-up.