Update on cluster of Vancomycin Resistant Enterococci cases at Tuen Mun Hospital

The following is issued on behalf of the Hospital Authority:

     The spokesperson for Tuen Mun Hospital (TMH) made the following announcement today (November 19):

     An 82-year-old male patient in a medical and geriatrics ward of TMH was confirmed to be carrying Vancomycin Resistant Enterococci (VRE) on November 12.

     In accordance with the prevailing infection control guidelines, the hospital conducted contact tracing for the index patient. Five more male patients (aged 66 to 76) were found to be VRE carriers but without clinical symptoms. Among the patients, one has been discharged, one patient has passed away due to underlying disease, and the other four patients are being treated under isolation in the hospital and are in stable condition.

     The concerned ward 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 concerned ward.

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