Cluster of Candida auris cases in Hong Kong Buddhist Hospital

The following is issued on behalf of the Hospital Authority:

     The spokesperson for Hong Kong Buddhist Hospital (HKBH) made the following announcement today (July 24):
 
     An 89-year-old male patient in a medicine ward of HKBH was confirmed to carry Candida auris on July 19. In accordance with the prevailing guideline, HKBH has conducted contact tracing and found two more male patients, aged 83 and 84, carrying Candida auris. The three patients are now being treated in isolation with stable condition.
 
     The ward concerned has adopted the following enhanced infection control measures:
 
1. Enhanced patient and environmental screening procedures;
2. Applied stringent contact precautions and enhanced hand hygiene of staff and patients; and
3. Thorough cleaning and disinfection of the ward concerned.
 
     The hospital will continue the enhanced infection control measures and closely monitor the situation of the ward. The cases have been reported to the Hospital Authority Head Office and the Centre for Health Protection for necessary follow-up.