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 spokesperson for the Kowloon Hospital (KH) made the following update today (April 23):

     In accordance with the prevailing infection control guidelines, the hospital commenced contact tracing. Nine more male in-patients (aged 66 to 95) in a medical extended care ward were confirmed as carriers of VRE. The concerned patients are being treated under isolation in the hospital with stable condition.

     The ward concerned has adopted the following enhanced infection control measures:
 

1. Thorough cleansing and disinfection of the wards 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.

     The hospital 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 the Centre for Health Protection of the Department of Health for necessary follow-up.