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The following is issued on behalf of the Hospital Authority:
Following an earlier announcement of some patients being confirmed as carriers of Vancomycin Resistant Enterococci (VRE), a spokesperson for Princess Margaret Hospital gave the following update today (August 3):
In accordance with prevailing infection control guidelines, the hospital has conducted screening. One more 80-year-old male patient has been found to be a carrier of VRE and he is asymptomatic. He has been transferred to the isolation ward of the Hospital Authority Infectious Disease Centre for further monitoring or treatment.
There are clinical guidelines in public hospitals to ensure proper use of antibiotics, including Vancomycin, and management of VRE carriers. The hospital has stepped up the infection control measures according to established guidelines and is closely monitoring patients' health.
The case has been reported to the Hospital Authority Head Office and the Centre for Health Protection for follow-up.
Ends/Friday, August 3, 2012
Issued at HKT 19:47
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