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The following is issued on behalf of the Hospital Authority:
Regarding a recent confirmation of a cluster of patients as Vancomycin Resistant Enterococci (VRE) carriers in an extended care ward, the spokesman for Kowloon Hospital has the following update today (April 2):
Four more male patients (aged 40 to 74) have been confirmed as VRE carriers but without clinical symptoms. All of them had been transferred to Queen Elizabeth Hospital for further treatment. The patients are now in stable condition and are under medical surveillance and isolation.
The following enhanced infection control measures have already been adopted:
1. Disinfection and cleansing of the ward concerned have been enhanced;
2. Stringent contact precautions have been applied, including dedicated use of clinical items for the VRE carriers and enhanced hand hygiene;
3. All VRE carriers are under medical surveillance in isolation rooms; and
4. Restricted visiting to the ward concerned is imposed.
The Hospital will continue to 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.
Ends/Tuesday, April 2, 2013
Issued at HKT 20:07
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