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The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health is investigating cases in which four persons carry Vancomycin Resistant Enterococci (VRE). They are residents in two residential care homes for the elderly (RCHE) in Sham Shui Po.
The reports were made to the CHP by the Caritas Medical Centre (CMC) as the hospital started admission screening on patients admitted to male medical and geriatrics wards since December 5 for early detection of VRE carriers newly admitted to the wards concerned.
The persons, comprising four males aged from 68 to 76, were residents of King Fuk Nursing Home and Po Leung Kuk Eco-Home for the Senior in Sham Shui Po District. They were identified as asymptomatic VRE carriers upon admission screening. However, they were admitted to CMC this time for medical conditions unrelated to VRE infection.
A spokesman for the CHP said, "The two residents from King Fuk Nursing Home were admitted for vomiting and poor diabetes control, and pneumonia respectively. The other two residents from Po Leung Kuk Eco-Home for the Senior were admitted for pneumonia and gouty attack respectively.
"Preliminary investigation revealed that all of them had history of hospitalisation in recent months, including CMC and Our Lady of Maryknoll Hospital."
Three of them are in stable condition while one of them is in critical condition due to his underlying medical illness. All are under medical surveillance and isolation in CMC.
"The CHP has conducted visits to these RCHEs today and offered advice to their staff on cleansing and infection control measures," the spokesman said.
The CHP will continue to collaborate with the Hospital Authority, Social Welfare Department and other relevant parties for follow-up measures.
Ends/Friday, December 16, 2011
Issued at HKT 21:14
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