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 patient dying later from unrelated complications. The final report identified a hospital balcony near construction works as the probable source of airborne spores, which became airborne during a $900 million redevelopment. NSW Health confirmed the balcony posed the greatest exposure risk, though no single definitive cause was pinpointed. The state announced reforms including increased air sampling and a fungal surveillance committee, all accepted by health authorities. One patient remains critically ill in intensive care after contracting disseminated aspergillosis weeks following a liver transplant. The investigation was led by senior transplant specialists and referred the deaths for a Serious Adverse Event Review.
✓ 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 aspergillosis infection, and a third infected patient later died from multi-organ failure due to sepsis (not the fungal infection)
- A hospital balcony near ongoing construction works was identified as the probable source of the fungal spores, with airborne spores linked to construction activities
- The outbreak was investigated by senior transplant specialists and the report was handed to NSW Chief Health Officer Kerry Chant
- NSW Health announced four reforms, including increased air sampling and a fungal surveillance committee, all accepted by health authorities
- The infected patient still in intensive care had a liver transplant in November 2025 and was diagnosed with disseminated aspergillosis in December 2025
- The two deaths from the fungal infection were referred for a Serious Adverse Event Review (SAER)
Points of Difference
Details reported by only one source:
- The balcony was located near construction works as part of a $900 million hospital redevelopment
- One patient spent 150 days in hospital prior to their liver transplant and subsequent infection
- Sydney Local Health District Chief Executive Deb Wilcox stated 'we will never absolutely know the cause of death' but the panel is clear on the fungal infection's impact
- The report found the balcony posed the greatest exposure risk, though no single conclusive cause was determined
- The third death was attributed to 'multi-organ failure due to sepsis associated with a skin condition'
- The report identified a failure to implement a fungi monitoring program as a key issue
- The report was released on Friday and affected families were given the chance to discuss findings with doctors and hospital management
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....
Cause of deadly hospital outbreak revealed
The cause of a deadly fungal hospital outbreak has been revealed, as one victim remains in intensive care months later....