Cluster of Candida auris cases in Princess Margaret Hospital

The following is issued on behalf of the Hospital Authority:

     The spokesperson for Princess Margaret Hospital (PMH) made the following announcement today (August 6):
 
     An 85-year-old male patient in a medicine and geriatrics ward of PMH was found to be carrying Candida auris after screening on July 26. In accordance with the prevailing guideline, PMH conducted contact tracing and found one more patient, a 29-year-old male, carrying Candida auris. Both patients are asymptomatic and are being treated in isolation. One of them is in stable condition while the other patient is in serious condition due to underlying diseases.
 
     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.