Princess Margaret Hospital announces Candida auris cases

The following is issued on behalf of the Hospital Authority:

     The spokesperson for Princess Margaret Hospital (PMH) made the following announcement today (July 3):
     
     A 41-year-old male patient was admitted to the Medicine and Geriatrics (M&G) ward of PMH on June 23. The hospital arranged an admission screening for the patient. His screening specimen was confirmed to carry Candida auris, without signs of infection. In accordance with the prevailing guideline, PMH has commenced contact tracing for patients who have had close contact with the index patient. One more 86-year-old male M&G patient who stayed in the same M&G ward was confirmed to carry Candida auris without signs of infection. The two patients are now being treated under isolation and the patients are clinically stable.
 
     The hospital has reported the cases to the Hospital Authority Head Office and the Centre for Health Protection (CHP). The following enhanced infection control measures have already been adopted:
     

1. Thorough cleansing and disinfection of the wards concerned;
2. Enhanced patient and environmental screening procedures; and
3. Application of stringent contact precautions and enhanced hand hygiene of staff and patients.

     The hospital will continue to closely monitor the situation of the patients as well as follow up the cases with concerned departments and the CHP.