CHP Investigates CPE Cluster Among Elderly Residents at Southern District Care Home

CHP investigates cluster of Carbapenemase-producing Enterobacteriaceae carrier cases

The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health is today (October 6) investigating a cluster of Carbapenemase-producing Enterobacteriaceae (CPE) carrier cases involving four residents of a residential care home for the elderly (RCHE). The CHP reminded all RCHEs to implement measures for the prevention and control of infectious diseases in accordance with theGuidelines on Prevention of Communicable Diseasein RCHEs(the Guidelines).

The CHP recently received a notification from the Hospital Authority (HA) that four residents living on the same floor of an RCHE in Southern District had been admitted to a public hospital for treatment due to their underlying illnesses. Their admission screening samples tested positive for CPE upon laboratory testing and they were suspected to have been infected in the RCHE. All four patients (two males and two females, aged 69 to 99) are carriers. None of them exhibited symptoms associated with CPE infection. They are currently in stable condition.

Following the HA's notification, the CHP immediately conducted epidemiological investigations and found that the source of infection for the aforementioned four carrier cases may have been another two previously identified CPE carrier cases on the same floor of the same RCHE. After inspecting the RCHE, CHP staff discovered that the RCHE had not duly implemented relevant infection prevention and control measures. It cannot be ruled out that the bacteria were transmitted within the RCHE via staff, or contaminated environment and objects. The CHP reminded the staff of the RCHE to adhere to the Guidelines and take necessary measures, including properly donning and doffing of personal protective equipment, enhancing hand hygiene among staff and residents, and thoroughly cleaning and disinfecting the environment and objects. The CHP also recommended that the RCHE cohort the carriers in a single designated area.

The CHP will continue to investigate the cluster of cases and conduct screening at the RCHE concerned to determine whether there are any other CPE-carriers. The CHP will also continue to put the RCHE under medical surveillance.

Enterobacteriaceae (such as Escherichia coli andKlebsiella) are common pathogens that can cause infections in various parts of the body, including urinary tract infections, intra-abdominal infections or blood infection. CPE are enterobacteriaceae that produce carbapenemase, an enzyme that can deactivate carbapenems and other beta-lactam antibiotics such as penicillins. These bacteria are commonly resistant to multiple antibiotics, limiting therapeutic options, and may render severe clinical infections difficult to treat. The range of diseases associated with CPE varies from asymptomatic carriage to potentially life-threatening or fatal infections. The level of risk depends on which part of the body is affected by the infection and the patient's general health.

The proper use of antibiotics and maintaining good personal and environmental hygiene, especially hand hygiene, are important for preventing the emergence and cross-transmission of multi-drug resistant organisms (MDROs), such as CPE. In addition, susceptible individuals such as the elderly, infants, young children, people with weakened immunity and pregnant women can reduce their risk of contracting MDROs by avoiding raw or undercooked foods.

Source: AI-found images

SCST congratulates Michelle Yeoh and Ann Hui on winning awards at Busan International Film Festival

The Secretary for Culture, Sports and Tourism, Miss Rosanna Law, today (October 6) congratulated veteran actress Michelle Yeohand veteran director Ann Hui on receiving the Asian Filmmaker of the Year award and the Camellia Award respectively at the 31st Busan International Film Festival (BIFF).

The Asian Filmmaker of the Year award honours filmmakers who have made exceptional contributions to the advancement of the Asian film industry and culture, while the Camellia Award is granted to filmmakers who have made significant contributions to advancing women's roles in the Asian film industry.

Miss Law expressed her heartfelt congratulations to Yeoh and Hui on their awards. She said that their influence on the Hong Kong and international film landscapes has been profound and enduring. She thanked them for their remarkable contributions to Hong Kong cinema over their decades-long careers, which have helped bring Hong Kong cinema to the global stage.

To promote Hong Kong cinema and assist emerging Hong Kong filmmakers in exploring the international market, the Cultural and Creative Industries Development Agency (CCIDA) under the Culture, Sports and Tourism Bureau is leading an industry delegation to the BIFF. The delegation includes director Isabella Lam and actor Lokman Yeung of the film "Dead End", a winning project of the Higher Education Institution Group of the 7th First Feature Film Initiative under the Film Development Fund which has also been selected for the "Vision - Asia" competition section, as well as various filmmakers and original content rights holders. During the BIFF, CCIDA will host the "Hong Kong Night" reception on October 9 (Busan time), while the world premiere of "Dead End" will be held on October 10 (Busan time).

Source: AI-found images