Cluster of Vancomycin Resistant Enterococci cases at Hong Kong Buddhist Hospital

The following is issued on behalf of the Hospital Authority:

     â€‹The spokesperson for Hong Kong Buddhist Hospital (HKBH) gave the following announcement today (July 4):
      
     An 89-year-old female patient in a medicine and geriatrics ward of HKBH was confirmed to be a Vancomycin Resistant Enterococci (VRE) carrier on June 25. In accordance with prevailing infection control guidelines, the hospital has conducted contact tracing. Two more female patients (aged 80 and 81) were found to be VRE carriers. All patients have been discharged.
      
     The following enhanced infection control measures have already been adopted in the ward concerned:
     

1. isolation of VRE cases and application of stringent contact precautions;
2. enhanced environmental cleaning and disinfection; and
3. enhanced hand hygiene for staff and patients.

 
     The hospital will continue the enhanced infection control measures and closely monitor the situation of the ward concerned. The cases have been reported to the Hospital Authority Head Office and the Centre for Health Protection for necessary follow-up.