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 NSW Health report identified a hospital balcony near active construction as the probable source of the spores, which became airborne during the $900 million redevelopment. The investigation found that while no single cause was conclusively proven, the balcony and nearby construction posed the greatest risk. NSW Health has since announced reforms, including increased air sampling and a fungal surveillance committee, to prevent future outbreaks. Families of affected patients were given the opportunity to discuss the findings with hospital management, and the two deaths linked to aspergillosis were referred for further review. The patient still in intensive care remains critically ill four months after diagnosis, highlighting the severity of the infection for immunocompromised individuals.
✓ 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
- NSW Health released a final report on the outbreak on Friday, identifying the balcony as the greatest exposure risk
- The hospital’s $900 million redevelopment was underway adjacent to the balcony during the infection period
- The Sydney Local Health District Chief Executive is Deb Wilcox
- One infected patient remains in intensive care four months after diagnosis
- The patient in ICU had a liver transplant in November 2025 and was diagnosed with disseminated aspergillosis in December 2025
- NSW Health’s report found a failure to implement its fungi monitoring program and recommended increased air sampling and a fungal surveillance committee
- The two deaths linked to aspergillosis were referred for a Serious Adverse Event Review (SAER)
Points of Difference
Details reported by only one source:
- The third patient who died was from 'multi-organ failure due to sepsis associated with a skin condition' (not explicitly stated as unrelated to aspergillosis in NEWSCOMAU)
- The patient in ICU had spent 150 days in hospital prior to their liver transplant
- The report mentioned 'disseminated aspergillosis' specifically for the patient in ICU
- Sydney Local Health District Chief Executive Deb Wilcox stated 'We will never absolutely know the cause of death' and emphasized the balance of evidence
- The report was conducted by senior doctors specializing in transplants and handed to NSW Chief Health Officer Kerry Chant
- Four recommendations were accepted, including establishing a fungal surveillance committee and increased air sampling
- The report was released on Friday and families were given the chance to discuss findings with doctors and hospital management
Contradictions
Conflicting information between sources:
- ABC states the third patient died from 'multi-organ failure due to sepsis associated with a skin condition,' while NEWSCOMAU does not specify the cause of death for the third patient
- ABC mentions the patient in ICU had spent 150 days in hospital prior to their liver transplant, but NEWSCOMAU does not include this detail
- ABC explicitly states the patient in ICU was diagnosed with 'disseminated aspergillosis,' while NEWSCOMAU does not specify the type of aspergillosis
Source Articles
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