Cluster of Vancomycin Resistant Enterococci cases at Kowloon Hospital

The following is issued on behalf of the Hospital Authority:

     The spokesperson for the Kowloon Hospital (KH) made the following announcement today (February 27):
     
     An 81-year-old and a 75-year-old male patient in a rehabilitation ward of KH were confirmed to carry Vancomycin Resistant Enterococci (VRE) on February 18 and February 19 respectively without signs of infection. In accordance with the prevailing infection control guidelines, the hospital commenced a contact tracing investigation. Nine more male patients (aged 61 to 100) from the same ward were confirmed to be VRE carriers and asymptomatic. One patient is currently hospitalised at Queen Elizabeth Hospital for other medical needs and two patients were discharged. The remaining eight patients are being treated in isolation at the hospital with stable condition.
 
     The concerned ward has adopted the following enhanced infection control measures:
 
1. Enhanced hand hygiene and stringent contact precautions;
2. Enhanced attention to contamination-prone procedures; and
3. Enhanced disinfection and cleaning of the concerned ward.
 
     The hospital will continue the enhanced infection control measures and closely monitor the situation of the ward. The cases have been reported to the Hospital Authority Head Office and the Centre for Health Protection for necessary follow-up.