Fungal Infections Hit Sydney Transplant Ward: Two Dead, Four Seriously Ill Amid Construction-Linked Outbreak

February 26, 2026
Fungal Infections Hit Sydney Transplant Ward: Two Dead, Four Seriously Ill Amid Construction-Linked Outbreak
  • Patients in the transplant ward were relocated while a remediation team conducted a deep clean, upgraded air filtration, and carried out air quality testing, with precautionary antifungal medications given to some patients.

  • NSW Chief Health Officer Dr Kerry Chant said the ward was deemed safe to reopen earlier this month after advisory assessments.

  • An expert panel convened by Dr Chant reviewed mitigation strategies, and at‑risk patients received antifungal treatment following clinician consultations.

  • The report provides a concise narrative of the incident, focusing on the core event and its immediate framing.

  • The piece centers on a hospital medical incident signaling potential infection control concerns within a major facility.

  • The infection can manifest in several forms, with higher risk for immunocompromised individuals or those with preexisting lung conditions.

  • The Sydney Morning Herald reported the incident, updating readers on February 26, 2026, with coverage beginning earlier that evening.

  • Two patients died and four others were seriously ill after contracting fungal infections at Royal Prince Alfred Hospital’s transplant ward.

  • The cluster of Aspergillus infections affected the transplant ward between October and December, prompting a formal investigation by SLHD.

  • Construction work at RPA Hospital in Camperdown is linked to the outbreak, with cases arising in the transplant unit during the late 2025 period.

  • Additional investigation context and hospital response details are not provided in the excerpt.

  • The infections occurred in the transplant unit during October to December of the previous year.

Summary based on 6 sources


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Sources


Two deaths linked to fungus cluster at Sydney hospital

The Sydney Morning Herald • Feb 26, 2026

Two deaths linked to fungus cluster at Sydney hospital

Two people die after fungal infections at Sydney hospital

The Sydney Morning Herald • Feb 26, 2026

Two people die after fungal infections at Sydney hospital

Two hospital deaths linked to killer fungus

news.com.au — Australia’s leading news site for latest headlines • Feb 26, 2026

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