********************************************************
The following is issued on behalf of the Hospital Authority:
The spokesperson of Tung Wah Group of Hospitals Wong Tai Sin Hospital(WTSH) made the following announcement today (May 27) on a tuberculosis patient case:
A 92-year-old female patient of a medical ward of WTSH was confirmed positive for Mycobacterium tuberculosis on April 28. The patient was immediately transferred to isolation ward for treatment. According to the prevailing infection control guidelines, the hospital immediately traced the patients who stayed in the same cubicles and the healthcare workers who had contact with the index patient. At the same time, investigation confirmed that the patient stayed at Hong Kong Buddhist Hospital (HKBH) and Queen Elizabeth Hospital (QEH) respectively since April 5 before she was transferred to WTSH on April 19.
The hospital immediately reported the case to the Centre for Health Protection and the two hospitals mentioned above and carried out contact tracing work. In addition, tuberculosis and chest specialist together started risk assessment of the case with the Infection Control Team. The concerned patient passed away on May 14.
The three concerned hospitals have completed the tracing of patients in the past few weeks. Five patients and seven staff of HKBH; 20 patients and 45 staff of QEH; and seven patients and 40 staff of WTSH were identified. The hospitals have explained the case to related patients and staff and follow-up investigation was arranged for them. No concerned patient and staff members have been reported of any symptom of tuberculosis so far.
The above hospitals will continue monitoring the health condition of concerned patients and staff.
Ends/Friday, May 27, 2016
Issued at HKT 22:16
NNNN
