Cluster of Vancomycin Resistant Enterococci cases in Kowloon Hospital

The following is issued on behalf of the Hospital Authority.

     The spokesperson for Kowloon Hospital made the following announcement today (August 15):

     A 75-year-old rehabilitation ward in-patient was confirmed to be carrying Vancomycin Resistant Enterococci (VRE) on August 5. In accordance with the prevailing infection control guidelines, the hospital commenced contact tracing. Two more male patients (aged 71 and 76) staying in the same ward were confirmed to be VRE carriers but without clinical symptoms. The concerned patients are being treated in isolation in the hospital, and are in stable condition.

     The ward concerned 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 ward concerned.

     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.