Update on cluster of Candida auris cases in Princess Margaret Hospital

The following is issued on behalf of the Hospital Authority:

     Regarding an earlier announcement on Candida auris carrier cases, the spokesperson for Princess Margaret Hospital made the following update today (August 9):
 
     Following a contact tracing investigation, one more patient, a 73-year-old male in a Medicine and Geriatrics ward, 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 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 cases to the Hospital Authority Head Office and the Centre for Health Protection for follow-up and will continue to closely monitor the situation.