Cluster of Vancomycin Resistant Enterococci cases in Kowloon Hospital

The following is issued on behalf of the Hospital Authority:

     The spokesman for Kowloon Hospital made the following announcement today (April 20):
     
     A 68-year-old medical extended care in-patient was confirmed as carrying Vancomycin Resistant Enterococci (VRE) on April 8. In accordance with the prevailing infection control guidelines, the hospital commenced contact tracing. Seven more male patients (aged 59 to 96) staying in the same ward were confirmed to be VRE carriers but without clinical symptoms. The patients concerned are being treated under isolation in the hospital with 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.