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Ends/Wednesday, June 10, 2026
CHP investigates cluster of Carbapenemase-producing Enterobacteriaceae carrier cases
The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health is today (June 10) investigating a cluster of Carbapenemase-producing Enterobacteriaceae (CPE) carrier cases involving five residents of a residential care home for the elderly (RCHE). The CHP reminded all RCHEs to implement measures for the detection, prevention and control of infectious diseases in accordance with the Guidelines on Prevention of Communicable Disease in RCHEs (the Guidelines).
In recent months, the CHP received notifications from the Hospital Authority (HA) that five residents, aged between 85 and 96, living on the same floor of an RCHE in Mong Kok 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. All patients are carriers, with none of them having exhibited symptoms associated with CPE infection. They are in stable condition.
Following the HA's notifications, the CHP immediately conducted epidemiological investigations and inspected the RCHE. The CHP found that there had been previously at least three known carriers on the same floor of the RCHE, but the RCHE management had not fully implemented the related infectious disease prevention and control measures. This led to transmission within the RCHE through contaminated environment or the sharing of items. Therefore, the CHP cannot rule out that the five recent cases were infected at the RCHE. The CHP reminded the RCHE management to strictly adhere to the Guidelines, thoroughly clean and disinfect the environment, and ensure good hand hygiene among staff and residents. The CHP also recommended that the RCHE cohort the carriers in the same area and provide adequate hand-washing facilities.
The CHP will continue to investigate the cluster of cases and conduct screening at the RCHE in question to determine whether there are other CPE-carriers. The CHP will also put the RCHE under medical surveillance.
Enterobacteriaceae (such as Escherichia coli and Klebsiella) 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.
https://www.info.gov.hk/gia/general/202606/10/P2026061000540.htm
CHP investigates cluster of Carbapenemase-producing Enterobacteriaceae carrier cases
The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health is today (June 10) investigating a cluster of Carbapenemase-producing Enterobacteriaceae (CPE) carrier cases involving five residents of a residential care home for the elderly (RCHE). The CHP reminded all RCHEs to implement measures for the detection, prevention and control of infectious diseases in accordance with the Guidelines on Prevention of Communicable Disease in RCHEs (the Guidelines).
In recent months, the CHP received notifications from the Hospital Authority (HA) that five residents, aged between 85 and 96, living on the same floor of an RCHE in Mong Kok 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. All patients are carriers, with none of them having exhibited symptoms associated with CPE infection. They are in stable condition.
Following the HA's notifications, the CHP immediately conducted epidemiological investigations and inspected the RCHE. The CHP found that there had been previously at least three known carriers on the same floor of the RCHE, but the RCHE management had not fully implemented the related infectious disease prevention and control measures. This led to transmission within the RCHE through contaminated environment or the sharing of items. Therefore, the CHP cannot rule out that the five recent cases were infected at the RCHE. The CHP reminded the RCHE management to strictly adhere to the Guidelines, thoroughly clean and disinfect the environment, and ensure good hand hygiene among staff and residents. The CHP also recommended that the RCHE cohort the carriers in the same area and provide adequate hand-washing facilities.
The CHP will continue to investigate the cluster of cases and conduct screening at the RCHE in question to determine whether there are other CPE-carriers. The CHP will also put the RCHE under medical surveillance.
Enterobacteriaceae (such as Escherichia coli and Klebsiella) 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.
https://www.info.gov.hk/gia/general/202606/10/P2026061000540.htm