Update on cluster of Vancomycin Resistant Enterococci cases in Kowloon Hospital

The following is issued on behalf of the Hospital Authority:

     Regarding an earlier announcement on Vancomycin Resistant Enterococci (VRE) carrier cases, the spokesman for the Kowloon Hospital (KH) made the following update today (April 28):
     
     In accordance with the prevailing infection control guidelines, the hospital commenced contact tracing. Two more male in-patients (aged 87 and 88) in a medical extended care ward were confirmed as carriers of VRE. The 87-year-old patient has been discharged earlier, while the 88-year-old patient is being treated under isolation in KH with stable condition.
 
     The concerned ward has adopted the following enhanced infection control measures:
 

1. Thorough cleansing and disinfection of the ward concerned;
2. Enhanced admission screening for patients and environmental screening procedures;
3. Enhanced attention to contamination-prone procedures; and
4. Application of stringent contact precautions and enhanced hand hygiene of staff and patients.

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