<div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Two patients died and four fell seriously ill after all contracting fungal infections while at </span><a href="https://www.9news.com.au/sydney" rel="" target="_blank" title="Sydney's"><span>Sydney's</span></a><span> Royal Prince Alfred </span><a href="https://www.9news.com.au/hospitals" rel="" target="_blank" title="Hospital"><span>Hospital</span></a><span> last year.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Sydney Local Health District (SLHD) has confirmed it is investigating a cluster of infections from a fungus called Aspergillus at the hospital's transplant unit between October and December.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>SLHD acknowledged it is possible the fungal outbreak is linked to the $940 million redevelopment at the hospital. Construction on the project has been ongoing since 2023.</span></div></div><div><div id="adspot-mobile-medium"></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><strong><span>READ MORE:</span></strong><span> </span><a href="https://www.9news.com.au/national/isis-brides-prime-minister-anthony-albanese-defiant-as-australian-children-in-syria-plead-to-come-home/6a3b7560-1a4b-4672-84f7-df20e1b45485" rel="" target="_blank" title=""><strong><span>PM defiant as Australian children detained in Syria plead to come home</span></strong></a><strong><span></span></strong></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Aspergillus is a mould that can be found in soil, dust and damp environments like areas of high construction or demolition.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Serious symptoms of Aspergillus include breathlessness, coughing up blood, and respiratory failure.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><strong><span>READ MORE:</span></strong><span> </span><a href="https://www.9news.com.au/national/business-news-qantas-unveils-major-change-to-frequent-flyer-program-as-airline-records-bumper-146-billion-profit/12f14e9b-4d1c-453d-8636-84fef3316c37" rel="" target="_blank" title=""><strong><span>Australia's biggest loyalty program is getting a major makeover</span></strong></a><strong><span></span></strong></div></div><div><div class="OUTBRAIN" data-reactroot="" data-src="//www.9news.com.au/national/sydney-royal-prince-alfred-hospital-aspergillus-fungus-cluster-deaths/0a534d48-13b8-4b65-9f4e-c2fe16a9ea26" data-widget-id="AR_5"></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Six patients have confirmed to have been infected with the fungus. Two died and four others fell seriously ill.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>A spokesperson from SLHD said people inhale the aspergillus spores every day without becoming unwell, however it can have a more harmful impact on immunocompromised people.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>This includes patients undergoing organ transplant procedures.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>"SLHD extends its deepest condolences to the families of the patients who died at Royal Prince Alfred Hospital and acknowledges the impact on all patients and families," the spokesperson said.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>"Even before the full extent of the cluster was known, multiple actions were undertaken as quickly as possible beginning with an investigation by infectious diseases clinicians."</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><strong><span>READ MORE: </span></strong><a href="https://www.9news.com.au/national/huge-chunk-of-victoria-facing-increased-busfire-risk-in-leadup-to-winter/f1f72109-0e94-42e1-b785-65aa7445337f" rel="" target="_blank" title=""><strong><span>Huge swath of the country facing increased bushfire risk in lead-up to winter</span></strong></a></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>The ward was closed while an investigation took place, with transplant patients relocated and potentially at-risk patients contacted.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>A panel of experts, including </span><a href="https://www.9news.com.au/nsw" rel="" target="_blank" title="NSW"><span>NSW</span></a><span> Chief Health Officer Kerry Chant, decided the ward could be reopened earlier this month after testing and analysis found no increased levels of the fungus remained.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>"Additional patient safety measures were implemented, including a deep clean of the transplant ward, review of air intake points, upgrades to air filtration systems and comprehensive air quality testing," the spokesperson added.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><em><strong><span>NEVER MISS A STORY: Get your breaking news and exclusive stories first by following us across all platforms.</span></strong></em></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><em><strong><span>Download the 9NEWS App here via</span></strong></em><span> </span><a href="https://apps.apple.com/au/app/9news/id1010533727"><em><strong><span>Apple</span></strong></em></a><span> </span><em><strong><span>and</span></strong></em><span> </span><a href="https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=nineNewsAlerts.nine.com&amp;hl=en_AU&amp;pli=1"><em><strong><span>Google Play</span></strong></em></a></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><em><strong><span>Make 9News your preferred source on Google by</span></strong></em><span> </span><a href="https://9.nine.com.au/8x987w"><em><strong><span>ticking this box here</span></strong></em></a></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><em><strong><span>Sign up to</span></strong></em><span> </span><a href="https://login.nine.com.au/edm?client_id=nineatnine" rel="" target="" title=""><em><strong><span>our breaking newsletter here</span></strong></em></a></div></div>