Princess Margaret Hospital announces case concerning patient with hepatitis C infection

Princess margaret hospital announces hepatitis c infection in patient; investigation shows nosocomial transmission linked to carrier in same cubicle

The following is issued on behalf of the Hospital Authority:

The spokesperson for Princess Margaret Hospital (PMH) made the following announcement today (June 27) regarding a patient with hepatitis C infection:

A 24-year-old male patient was admitted to PMH due to head injury on March 21 and transferred to high dependency unit of the Neurosurgery Department for treatment since April 11. The liver enzymes of patient deranged in the mid of June. Therefore the hospital has arranged the patient to undergo hepatitis C viral test on June 15 and the result was positive. However, the result of patient’s hepatitis C viral test conducted in mid of April was negative.

The patient has been under treatment in the hospital all along therefore PMH is very concerned about the case and has followed up on possible route of transmission. After investigation, the hospital subsequently found that a 52-year-old hepatitis C carrier had stayed in the same cubicle from April 20 to May 24. Genetic sequencing showed that both patients are infected with hepatitis C with identical genetic sequence. The two cases are epidemiological linked and nosocomial infection of the 24-year-old male patient cannot be ruled out.

PMH has reported the case to the Centre for Health Protection (CHP). The hospital will continue to follow up and investigate the route of transmission with CHP. Hepatitis C virus is mainly transmitted through infected blood or body fluid. For example, sharing use of needles and syringes for drug injection, or equipment used for tattooing and body piercings. Healthcare-associated Hepatitis C virus transmission and outbreaks have also been reported worldwide, which were linked to breaches in infection control practice. The two patients concerned required frequent use of invasive catheters, having frequent blood test and intravenous injection, as well as undergoing wound care procedures due to their underlying diseases during hospitalisation has also increased the risk of infection. The ward concerned has been disinfected thoroughly. The hospital has also reviewed the infection control measures of the unit concerned, enhanced surveillance and infection control training of hand hygiene, environmental cleansing and care procedures are implemented.

PMH has prescribed antiviral drugs to the patient and explained the situation to his family. The patient is now in serious condition due to his underlying disease. Currently, antiviral drugs for acute hepatitis C are highly effective. In general, over 90 per cent of hepatitis C infection can be cured.

As a precautionary measure, the hospital has started contact tracing investigation and found that 16 patients had been admitted to the same cubicle in the same period of time, including the 24-year-old male patient and a patient who had passed away due to underlying disease. The Hospital will contact patients concerned to explain in details and arrange liver function and viral testing as well as health surveillance.

The incident has been reported to the Hospital Authority Head Office through the Advance Incident Reporting System.

Source: AI-generated images

Labour department issues heat stress warning: employers and employees urged to take preventive measures to avoid heat stroke in hot weather or environments

As the Heat Stress at Work Warning is now in effect, the Labour Department (LD) reminds employers and employees to take appropriate measures during the effective period of the warning to prevent heat stroke when working in hot weather or hot environments.

Employees who work outdoors or in non-air-conditioned indoor environments face high levels of heat stress and are at a relatively higher risk of heat stroke. Employers should assess the risk factors of heat stress for employees at work and, based on the identified risk factors, take necessary preventive and control measures, including rescheduling work periods, setting up shading covers, providing ventilation and heat dissipation equipment, and reminding employees to replenish water and rest in a timely manner.

The Heat Stress at Work Warning is formulated by the LD based on the Hong Kong Heat Index. There are three levels of the warning: Amber, Red and Black, which help employers and employees better understand the level of heat stress while working outdoors or indoors without air-conditioning systems.

A spokesman for the LD said that when the department issues the Heat Stress at Work Warning, employers must refer to the criteria and recommendations provided in the "Guidance Notes on Prevention of Heat Stroke at Work" to conduct risk assessments, according to the workloads and other relevant heat stress risk factors, for employees who work outdoors or in non-air-conditioned indoor workplaces. Appropriate rest breaks should be arranged every hour, as far as reasonably practicable, based on various levels of the Heat Stress at Work Warning, to reduce employees' risk of heat stroke.

Employees must also follow instructions to rest on time. Whenever there are any symptoms of heat-related illnesses, such as headache, dizziness, thirst, and nausea, they should rest in a cool and shady place, drink water, and inform employers/supervisors to take appropriate action immediately.

The LD issued the "Guidance Notes on Prevention of Heat Stroke at Work", detailing the various risk factors that should be considered when conducting heat stress risk assessments and recommending corresponding control measures for identified risk factors for employers' and employees' reference. For the Heat Stress at Work Warning and related guidelines, please refer to the department's thematic webpage: www.labour.gov.hk/eng/news/prevention_of_heat_stroke_at_work.htm.

Source: AI-generated images