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 (October 30):
 
     After screening in a medicine and geriatrics ward since October 20, two male patients (aged 89 and 71) were found to be carriers of Candida auris. In accordance with the prevailing guideline, PMH conducted contact tracing and found one more male patient, aged 64, carrying Candida auris. All patients are asymptomatic. One patient has been discharged earlier, while the remaining two patients are being treated in isolation and in 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.