************************************************************
The following is issued on behalf of the Hospital Authority:
The spokesperson for Kwong Wah Hospital (KWH) made the following update today (June 26) regarding an earlier announcement on a cluster of Vancomycin Resistant Enterococci (VRE) cases in a medical ward:
In accordance with the prevailing infection control guidelines, contact tracing has been performed. One more 86-year-old male patient was found to be a carrier of VRE today, but without clinical symptoms. The patient is now 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 concerned have been enhanced;
2. Stringent contact precautions have been applied, including dedicated use of clinical items to 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 case has been reported to the Hospital Authority Head Office and the Centre for Health Protection for necessary follow-up.
Ends/Wednesday, June 26, 2013
Issued at HKT 18:30
NNNN