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The following is issued on behalf of the Hospital Authority:
The spokesperson of Caritas Medical Centre made the following announcement today (July 22):
Three patients (aged 37 to 88) of a male Medicine and Geriatrics Ward have been confirmed as having Multi-drug Resistant Acinetobacter (MDRA) since July 17. Two of them are infected cases. The patients are still hospitalised under medical surveillance and isolation. Two of them are in stable condition, while the other one is in serious condition.
Acinetobacter is a bacteria which is commonly found in water and soil. It can also colonise or live in a patient without causing infection or symptoms. However, it may sometimes cause disease in patients with a weakened immune system.
The following enhanced infection control measures have already been adopted in the ward concerned:
1. Enhancement of disinfection and cleaning of the ward concerned;
2. Applying stringent contact precautions, including dedicated use of clinical equipment for MDRA carriers and enhanced hand hygiene; and
3. Performing environmental sampling for monitoring.
The cases have been reported to the Hospital Authority Head Office and the Centre for Health Protection for necessary follow-up. The hospital will continue to closely monitor the situation of the ward.
Ends/Tuesday, July 22, 2014
Issued at HKT 19:10
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