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The following is issued on behalf of the Hospital Authority:
The spokesperson of Kowloon Hospital (KH) made the following announcement today (October 8):
A 47-year-old patient previously admitted to a male rehabilitation ward was confirmed to be a Vancomycin Resistant Enterococci (VRE) carrier on October 2. In accordance with the prevailing infection control guidelines, the hospital has screened patients who had contact with the index patient. Six more patients (aged 69 to 97) who had stayed in the same ward were confirmed to be VRE carriers without clinical symptoms. All the patients are under medical surveillance and isolation with stable condition.
The following enhanced infection control measures have already been adopted:
1. Disinfection and cleansing of the ward have been enhanced;
2. Stringent contact precautions have been applied, including dedicated use of clinical items for the VRE carriers and enhanced hand hygiene; and
3. Restricted visiting to the ward has been imposed.
The Hospital will continue to closely monitor the situation on 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, October 8, 2013
Issued at HKT 19:18
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