Control of an outbreak of vancomycin-resistant Enterococcus faecium in an oncology ward in South Africa: effective use of limited resources

An outbreak of vancomycin-resistant enterococci (VRE) occurred in an adult oncology ward of a large teaching hospital in Johannesburg, South Africa. T he outbreak strain was identified as an Enterococcus faecium carrying the v anA resistance genotype. Macro-restriction analysis showed that the majorit y of strains were clonally related. Modified infection control intervention s were implemented and control of the outbreak was achieved. Although the e pidemiology of VRE is well documented in Europe, North America and Australi a, this problem has only recently emerged in South Africa. The epidemiology of the outbreak appears similar to that described for outbreaks elsewhere. (C) 2000 The Hospital Infection Society.