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Deadly Fungus Strikes Sydney Hospital Transplant Unit
3 Mar
Summary
- Two fungal infections on transplant ward triggered alarm bells.
- Aspergillus infection is difficult to treat, fatal for one in three.
- Patient transfers and ward upgrades implemented to contain spread.
Clinical teams at Sydney's Royal Prince Alfred Hospital encountered a challenging situation with a series of fungal infections. Two patients on the transplant ward contracted a potentially deadly infection between December 3 and December 9. This prompted an investigation, which uncovered four additional cases stretching back to October, and one from May.
The suspected culprit is Aspergillus, a common mould that poses a severe threat to individuals with weakened immune systems, such as transplant patients. In these vulnerable individuals, Aspergillus can penetrate deep into the lungs and is fatal for approximately one in three.
To combat the outbreak, affected patients and staff were moved from the transplant ward. The hospital also intensified air monitoring, upgraded filtration systems, and conducted thorough cleaning and repairs of the ward's infrastructure. A decision was made on December 24 to convene an expert panel to officially declare the cases a cluster.
