Cluster of Candida auris cases in Kowloon Central Cluster

The following is issued on behalf of the Hospital Authority.

     The spokesperson for the Kowloon Central Cluster made the following announcement today (October 17):
      
     A 70-year-old male patient in a respiratory medicine ward of Kowloon Hospital (KH) was confirmed to be carrying Candida auris on September 23 without signs of infection. In accordance with the prevailing infection control guidelines, KH commenced a contact tracing investigation. Three more male patients (aged 53 to 88) from the same ward were subsequently confirmed to be carrying Candida auris without signs of infection. One patient is currently hospitalised at Queen Elizabeth Hospital for other medical needs. The remaining three patients are now being treated in isolation at KH and are in stable condition.
      
     Moreover, regarding an earlier announcement on Candida auris carrier cases in the medical ward of Hong Kong Buddhist Hospital (HKBH), one more patient of the ward concerned, an 89-year-old female, was confirmed to carry Candida auris without signs of infection. The patient is now in isolation care and is in stable condition.
      
     The hospitals will continue the contact tracing investigations of close contacts of the patients in accordance with the prevailing guidelines. A series of enhanced infection control measures have already been adopted at wards concerned to prevent the spread of Candida auris, namely:
     

1. thorough cleaning and disinfection of the ward concerned;
2. enhanced admission screening for patients and environmental screening procedures; and
3. application of stringent contact precautions and enhanced hand hygiene of staff and patients.

 
     The hospitals will continue to closely monitor the situation of the patients. The cases have been reported to the Hospital Authority Head Office and the Centre for Health Protection for necessary follow-up.