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The following is issued on behalf of the Hospital Authority:
Following an earlier announcement of a cluster of patients of a medical ward testing positive to Vancomycin Resistant Enterococci (VRE), Princess Margaret Hospital spokesperson has the following update today (June 24):
In accordance with prevailing infection control guidelines, the hospital has confirmed one more 48-year-old female patient and one 56-year-old male patient in the same ward to be carriers of VRE, both without clinical symptoms. The female patient has been discharged while the male patient has been transferred to the isolation ward for further monitoring and treatment.
There are clinical guidelines in public hospitals to ensure proper use of antibiotics, including Vancomycin, and management of VRE carriers. The hospital has stepped up the infection control measures according to established guidelines and is closely monitoring the health condition of other patients in the ward.
The cases have been reported to the Hospital Authority Head Office and the Centre for Health Protection.
Ends/Monday, June 24, 2013
Issued at HKT 17:42
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