Cluster of Vancomycin Resistant Enterococci cases at Queen Elizabeth Hospital

The following is issued on behalf of the Hospital Authority:

     The spokesperson for Queen Elizabeth Hospital (QEH) made the following announcement today (November 3):

     A 53-year-old patient in a male medical ward of QEH was confirmed as carrying Vancomycin Resistant Enterococci (VRE) on October 29. In accordance with the prevailing infection control guidelines, the hospital commenced contact tracing and identified four more patients (aged 55 to 74) as VRE carriers without clinical symptoms. Among the five patients, one patient has been discharged earlier. One patient is still hospitalised in QEH while the other three patients have been transferred to another hospital. These four patients are being treated under isolation with stable condition.

     The hospital infection control team has followed up with the departments concerned and the Centre for Health Protection. The following enhanced infection control measures have already been adopted in the ward:

1. Enhanced cleaning and disinfection of the ward concerned;
2. Applied stringent contact precautions and enhanced hand hygiene of staff and patients; and
3. Enhanced patient and environmental screening procedures.

     The hospital will continue to 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.