009 has been a challenging year for the Microbiology and Infection Control Team of Queen Mary Hospital (QMH). Facing the outbreak of intestinal mucormycosis and the spread of human swine influenza (HSI), the Team has displayed tremendous professionalism and commitment in stopping the diseases from raging.

Members of the Microbiology and Infection Control Team work together to investigate and control disease outbreaks.

An unprecedented outbreak of intestinal mucormycosis in the severely immunocompromised haematology patients has resulted in severe morbidity and mortality. With an extensive and thorough investigation, the Microbiology and Infection Control Team finally tracked down the source to a contaminated drug called allopurinol. The finding will save at least 16 lives in a year. It also alerted the Government to rectify the drug safety issue by improving the regulatory measures for the pharmaceutical industry.

When the HSI pandemic spread to Hong Kong in May 2009, the Microbiology and Infection Control Team made an all-out effort in promoting infection control bundle measures, including "just-in-time" education, training, rapid tests, coordination and monitoring. Despite the fact that more than 60% (about 250 cases) of the laboratory confirmed cases were from patients admitted to the general wards, the number of patient-to-patient and patient-to-staff transmission cases was extremely low in the Hong Kong West Cluster (HKWC).

The Team greatly appreciates the excellent support front-line colleagues in QMH and HKWC have provided in helping them tackle these challenges. It has been a shining example of teamwork. The Team hopes that everyone will continue to work wholeheartedly and do even better in serving patients.