Update on Candida auris cases in Kowloon West Cluster

The following is issued on behalf of the Hospital Authority:

     Regarding an earlier announcement on Candida auris carrier cases, the spokesperson for Kowloon West Cluster gave the following update today (August 13):
      
     According to contact tracing by Princess Margaret Hospital (PMH), one more patient has been confirmed as carrying Candida auris. A 79-year-old female patient was confirmed as a Candida auris carrier while not having signs of infection. The patient has been discharged. In accordance with the prevailing guidelines, PMH has continued contact tracing for the patient.
      
     Furthermore, according to contact tracing by Yan Chai Hospital, two more male patients, aged 97 and 93, who had stayed in the same male medical ward were confirmed as carrying Candida auris without signs of infection. The patients passed away on July 27 and August 1 respectively due to underlying illnesses.
      
     The two hospitals have conducted thorough cleaning and disinfection of the wards concerned, applied 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.