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The following is issued on behalf of the Hospital Authority:
A spokesperson for Princess Margaret Hospital (PMH) made the following announcement today (March 18):
A 25-year-old expectant mother was admitted to the antenatal ward of PMH on March 2 for preterm labour. The patient developed fever with sore throat on March 5 and an appropriate test had been arranged accordingly. The test result on March 9 was negative to viral respiratory agents. The patient underwent Caesarean Section on the same day and gave birth to a baby girl.
On March 12, the patient received computerised tomography scan and the result revealed patchy consolidation at her bilateral lung. The patient was subsequently transferred to the Infectious Disease Centre for isolation management. The patient performed sputum and smear test on March 14 with negative results to tuberculosis. Yet the polymerase chain reaction test showed positive result on March 17.
The Hospital has taken immediate action according to the prevailing infection control guidelines and traced eight mothers with their newborn babies who had stayed in the same ward with the patient during hospitalisation. The Hospital contacted all the concerned babies' parents today to explain the situation. Clinical assessments and necessary treatment will be arranged.
The patient is treated under isolation with stable condition while her baby staying in neonatal Intensive Care Unit has shown no sign of tubercular infection so far. The Hospital will closely monitor the health conditions of the mothers and their babies. The case has been reported to Hospital Authority Head Office and the Centre for Health Protection.
Ends/Wednesday, March 18, 2015
Issued at HKT 23:17
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