Update on cluster of Candida auris cases in Hong Kong Buddhist Hospital

The following is issued on behalf of the Hospital Authority:

     Regarding an earlier announcement on Candida auris carrier cases, the spokesperson for Hong Kong Buddhist Hospital gave the following update today (July 7):
 
     Following a contact tracing investigation, one more 73-year-old male patient in the medicine and geriatrics ward was identified as a carrier of Candida auris without signs of infection. The patient is now being treated in isolation in Queen Elizabeth Hospital and is in stable condition.
 
     The hospital will continue to apply the following enhanced infection control measures in accordance with the prevailing guidelines to prevent the spread of Candida auris:
 
1. Thorough cleaning and disinfection of the ward concerned;
2. Enhanced patient and environmental screening procedures; and
3. Applied stringent contact precautions and enhanced hand hygiene of staff and patients.
 
     The hospital will closely monitor the situation of the ward concerned. The case has been reported to the Hospital Authority Head Office and the Centre for Health Protection for necessary follow-up.