Update on cluster of Candida auris cases in North Lantau Hospital

The following is issued on behalf of the Hospital Authority:

     Regarding an earlier announcement on Candida auris carrier cases, the spokesperson for North Lantau Hospital gave the following update today (October 16):

     Following a contact tracing investigation, one more patient, a male aged 70 in an emergency medicine ward, was identified as a carrier of Candida auris without signs of infection. The patient was discharged earlier.

     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 wards concerned.

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