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 (August 21):
     A 89-year-old male patient in a medical rehabilitation ward of TMH was confirmed to carry Vancomycin Resistant Enterococci (VRE) on August 18. In accordance with the prevailing infection control guidelines, the hospital has conducted contact tracing for the index patient. Three more male patients (aged 59 to 86) were found to be VRE carriers but without clinical symptoms. Four patients are still hospitalised under isolation with stable condition.
     The ward concerned has adopted the following enhanced infection control measures:
Â
- Enhanced hand hygiene and stringent contact precautions;
- Enhanced attention to contamination-prone procedures; and
- Enhanced disinfection and cleaning of the concerned ward.
     The hospital will continue the enhanced infection control measures and closely monitor the situation of the ward. The cases have been reported to the Hospital Authority Head Office and the Centre for Health Protection for necessary follow up.