RPA fungus cluster linked to nearby construction leaves two people dead, four seriously ill
Two people have died and four others have become seriously ill in a mushroom cluster linked to construction work at one of Sydney’s largest hospitals.
The Royal Prince Alfred (RPA) Hospital in Camperdown is investigating a cluster of fungal infections in patients treated in its transplant unit between October and December.
The cluster included six patients. Two of these patients died due to infection.
“SLHD [Sydney Local Health District] “We offer our deepest condolences to the families of the patients who died at Royal Prince Alfred Hospital and acknowledge the impact this has had on all patients and families.” reporter.
Cause of infections, aspergillusIt is a mold commonly found in soil, plants and moist environments. Digging and construction work can disrupt mold deposits, causing spores to form in the air.
Most aspergillus strains are harmless, but a few can cause serious illness when their spores are inhaled. This is most dangerous for people with lung disease, asthma, and weakened immune systems.
The health district launched an investigation when it detected an unexpected increase in the number of fungal infections among organ transplant patients at the hospital.
“Even before the full extent of the cluster was known, numerous actions were taken as quickly as possible, starting with an investigation by infectious diseases clinicians,” the spokesperson said.
“aspergillus “It can occur in many environments, including construction sites.”
While patients in the transfer unit were moved to another ward in the hospital, a remediation team performed a deep clean, improved the air filtration system and performed air quality testing.
Clinicians warned ward patients and vulnerable outpatients about the cluster. None of the outpatients reported signs of infection.
Some patients were given antifungal medication as a precaution.
No high level aspergillus After the completion of the treatment studies, he was registered in the transplant ward. NSW Chief Health Officer Dr. An advisory panel led by Kerry Chant decided it was safe to reopen the ward earlier this month.
Construction of RPA’s $940 million redevelopment project began in 2023 and is scheduled to be completed in 2029. The hospital’s transplant ward is close to the work.
A hospital spokesman said NSW Health would work with the building’s contractors to implement the findings from the investigation.
Staff and patients at Calvary Mater Newcastle Hospital learned last year that air conditioning ducts at the facility had been riddled with holes. aspergillus and it needed to be replaced.
Lawyers are seeking relatives of patients who died on the hospital’s cancer wards between January 2024 and April 2025 to join a potential class-action lawsuit.
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Angus Thomson is a health reporter for The Sydney Morning Herald.Connect with: X or email.
