Fungal infection outbreak at Royal Prince Alfred Hospital linked to hospital balcony and construction
Consensus Summary
A fungal infection outbreak at Royal Prince Alfred Hospital in late 2025 infected six transplant patients in Ward 9E, with two deaths directly linked to aspergillosis and a third dying later from unrelated complications. NSW Health’s investigation identified a hospital balcony near ongoing construction as the probable source of the spores, which became airborne during redevelopment work. The report, released on Friday, confirmed the balcony—accessible to all infected patients—posed the greatest risk, while also revealing a failure to implement a fungi monitoring program. Health authorities have accepted all recommendations, including increased air sampling and a new fungal surveillance committee, to prevent future incidents. One patient remains critically ill in intensive care four months after diagnosis, having spent 150 days in hospital prior to infection. Families affected by the outbreak were given the opportunity to discuss findings with doctors and hospital management.
✓ Verified by 2+ sources
Key details reported by multiple sources:
- Six transplant patients in Ward 9E at Royal Prince Alfred Hospital were diagnosed with aspergillosis mould infection in November and December 2025
- Two patients died directly from the fungal infection, and a third infected patient died later from multi-organ failure due to sepsis associated with a skin condition (not the fungal infection)
- A hospital balcony near construction works was identified as the probable source of the fungal spores, accessible by all six infected patients
- Construction was taking place on the hospital’s $900 million redevelopment adjacent to the balcony during the outbreak
- NSW Health’s report found the balcony and nearby construction posed the greatest exposure risk, with spores becoming airborne during construction
- The NSW Health report was released on Friday, with recommendations including increased air sampling and a fungal surveillance committee
- The two deaths linked to the fungal infection have been referred for a Serious Adverse Event Review (SAER)
- One infected patient remains in intensive care four months after diagnosis, having spent 150 days in hospital prior to infection
Points of Difference
Details reported by only one source:
- The report explicitly states ‘the balance of evidence indicates the balcony and nearby construction activities posed the greatest exposure risk’
- Deb Wilcox (Sydney Local Health District Chief Executive) stated ‘the Aspergillus infection did impact on two patients directly who passed away’
- The third death was attributed to ‘multi-organ failure due to sepsis associated with a skin condition’ (not the fungal infection)
- The patient in ICU had a liver transplant in November 2025 and was diagnosed with ‘disseminated aspergillosis’ in December 2025
- The report identified a failure to implement a fungi monitoring program as a key issue
- All four recommendations from the report were accepted by health authorities, including establishing a fungal surveillance committee
- No additional specific factual details beyond those in consensus_facts; focuses on broader impact and family discussions
Contradictions
Conflicting information between sources:
- No contradictions found between the two sources
Source Articles
Balcony identified as likely mould infection site linked to patient deaths
A balcony at the Royal Prince Alfred Hospital has been identified as the infection site of a mould cluster linked to two patient deaths late last year....
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