Cluster of Vancomycin Resistant Enterococci cases in North District Hospital
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The following is issued on behalf of the Hospital Authority:
The spokesperson for North District Hospital (NDH) made the following announcement today (July 19):
An 89-year-old male patient in a surgical ward of NDH was infected with Vancomycin Resistant Enterococci (VRE) on July 15.
In accordance with the prevailing infection control guidelines, the hospital has conducted contact tracing investigation. Three more male patients (aged 62 to 86) were found to be VRE carriers and asymptomatic. All patients are being treated under isolation with stable condition.
The ward concerned has adopted the following enhanced infection control measures:
- Enhanced hand hygiene and stringent contact precautions;
- Enhanced attention to contamination-prone procedures; and
- Enhanced disinfection and cleaning of the ward concerned.
The hospital will closely monitor the situation 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.