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The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health is investigating with the Hospital Authority a case concerning the detection of Vancomycin Resistant Enterococci (VRE), a kind of antibiotic resistant bacteria, in four male patients of Tuen Mun Hospital.
A CHP spokesman said the four patients, aged between 77 and 79, did not show symptoms of infection and were being isolated for treatment.
He added that VRE was not a common infection in local hospitals.
The spokesman said Vancomycin was an antibiotic that was often used to treat infections caused by enterococci, a kind of bacteria that are normally present in human intestines and in female genital tract without causing diseases.
＾However, VRE can be the cause of infections in urinary track, blood stream and wounds.
＾It is usually passed to others by direct contact with stool, urine or blood,￣ the spokesman said.
He added that the CHP was liaising closely with Tuen Mun Hospital in monitoring the incident.
To prevent infection by antibiotic resistant organisms, members of the public should take the following measures:
* Maintain good personal hygiene;
* Keep hands clean by washing thoroughly and frequently with liquid soap and water, or by rubbing them properly with alcohol handrub;
* Do not take antibiotics indiscriminately. Antibiotics should be prescribed by registered medical practitioners and the patient should complete the whole course of treatment according to the prescribed dosage and frequency.
Ends/Tuesday, March 4, 2008
Issued at HKT 21:34
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