Update on cluster of Vancomycin Resistant Enterococci cases at Kwong Wah Hospital
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The following is issued on behalf of the Hospital Authority:

     The spokesperson for Kwong Wah Hospital (KWH) made the following update today (September 2) regarding an earlier announcement on clusters of patients confirmed as carriers of Vancomycin Resistant Enterococci (VRE) in medical wards:

     In accordance with the prevailing infection control guidelines, contact tracing has been performed. Nine more patients (seven male and two female, aged 41 to 82) were found to be carriers of VRE today, but without clinical symptoms. Four of the patients are still hospitalised and now under medical surveillance and isolation with a stable condition. The remaining five patients have been discharged.

     The hospital will continue the enhanced infection control measures and closely monitor the situation. The cases have been reported to the Hospital Authority Head Office and the Centre for Health Protection for necessary follow-up.

Ends/Monday, September 2, 2013
Issued at HKT 19:05

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