Hong Kong – Cluster of Vancomycin Resistant Enterococci cases in Princess Margaret Hospital

The following is issued on behalf of the Hospital Authority:

     The spokesperson for Princess Margaret Hospital (PMH) made the following announcement today (March 5):
 
     A 56-year-old female patient in a surgical ward of PMH was infected with Vancomycin Resistant Enterococci (VRE) on March 1.
 
     In accordance with the prevailing infection control guidelines, the hospital has conducted contact tracing investigations. Four more female patients (aged from 69 to 89) were found to be VRE carriers and asymptomatic. All patients are now being treated in isolation. Two of the patients are in critical condition due to underlying disease and the remaining three patients are in stable condition.
 
     The wards concerned have 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 ward concerned.
 
     The hospital will continue the enhanced infection control measures and closely monitor the situation of the wards concerned. 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.