The following is issued on behalf of the Hospital Authority.
The spokesperson for Kowloon Hospital (KH) made the following announcement today (August 8):
Two patients, one 50 years old and one 57 years old in a female rehabilitation ward, were confirmed to carry Candida auris on July 31 without signs of infection. In accordance with the prevailing guidelines, KH has commenced contact tracing and found one more female patient, aged 72, who stayed in the same ward carrying Candida auris without signs of infection. The patients concerned are now being treated in isolation and are in stable condition.
The hospital will continue the contact tracing investigation of close contacts of the patients in accordance with the prevailing guidelines. A series of enhanced infection control measures have already been adopted to prevent the spread of Candida auris:
- Thorough cleaning and disinfection of the ward concerned;
- Enhanced admission screening for patients and environmental screening procedures; and
- Application of stringent contact precautions and enhanced hand hygiene of staff and patients.
The hospital will continue the enhanced infection control measures and closely monitor the situation of the ward concerned. The cases have been reported to the Hospital Authority Head Office and the Centre for Health Protection of the Department of Health for necessary follow-up.
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