Update on cluster of Multi-drug Resistant Acinetobacter cases in Pamela Youde Nethersole Eastern Hospital

The following is issued on behalf of the Hospital Authority:

     Regarding an earlier announcement on a cluster of patients confirmed to be carriers of Multi-drug Resistant Acinetobacter (MDRA) in a medical ward​, the spokesperson for Pamela Youde Nethersole Eastern Hospital made the following update today (February 15):
 
     In accordance with prevailing guideline, the hospital has commenced contact tracing and identified two more male patients (aged 44 and 66) in the same ward to be the carriers of MDRA. The two patients are currently under isolation treatment with stable condition.
 
     Following the activation of Emergency Response Level in public hospitals, visiting arrangement for the ward has been suspended. The following infection control measures have already been implemented according to established guidelines:​
 

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 cases have been reported to the Hospital Authority Head Office and the Centre for Health Protection for necessary follow-up. The hospital will continue to closely monitor the conditions of other patients in the ward.