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 medical and geriatrics ward, the spokesperson for Tuen Mun Hospital gave the following update today (October 20):

     In accordance with the prevailing guidelines, the hospital commenced contact tracing. Four male patients and one female patient (aged 66 to 74) are further confirmed as carriers of VRE. Among the patients, a male patient is in critical condition due to his underlying disease, while the other patients are in 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.