Update on cluster of Candida auris cases in New Territories East Cluster

The following is issued on behalf of the Hospital Authority: 
 
     Regarding an earlier announcement on three patients in a ward of the Department of Medicine and Therapeutics in Prince of Wales Hospital confirmed as carriers of Candida auris, two of whom had been transferred to Shatin Hospital, the spokesperson for the New Territories East Cluster (NTEC) gave the following update today (March 15):
 
     Following a contact tracing investigation, one more patient, a 91-year-old male in a ward of the Department of Medicine and Geriatrics in Shatin Hospital, was identified as a carrier of Candida auris without signs of infection. The patient is now being treated in isolation and is in stable condition.
 
     The hospital concerned will continue the contact tracing investigation in accordance with the prevailing guidelines. A series of enhanced infection control measures have already been adopted:
 

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

 
     The NTEC has reported the case to the Hospital Authority Head Office and the Centre for Health Protection for follow-up and will continue to monitor the situation closely.