Update on cluster of Vancomycin Resistant Enterococci cases at Tuen Mun 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 Vancomycin Resistant Enterococci (VRE) in a male medical and geriatrics ward, the spokesperson for Tuen Mun Hospital gave the following update today (October 12):
 
     In accordance with the prevailing guidelines, the hospital commenced contact tracing and confirmed three more patients (aged 58 to 63) as carriers of VRE. One patient is in stable condition. The other two patients are being hospitalised at Castle Peak Hospital and Tung Wah Eastern Hospital with stable condition.
 
     The hospital has adopted the following enhanced infection control measures according to the established guidelines:
 

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 cases have been reported to the Hospital Authority Head Office and the Centre for Health Protection for necessary follow-up. The hospital will continue the enhanced infection control measures and closely monitor the situation of the ward.