Update on cluster of Candida auris cases in Queen Elizabeth Hospital

The following is issued on behalf of the Hospital Authority:

     Regarding an earlier announcement on Candida auris carrier cases, the spokesperson for Queen Elizabeth Hospital gave the following update today (September 5):
 
     Following a contact tracing investigation, two more male patients (aged 54 and 82) in the High Dependency Unit of the Department of Neurosurgery were also identified as carriers of Candida auris while not having signs of infection. The two patients are in stable condition and have been transferred to Kowloon Hospital and Hong Kong Buddhist Hospital for further isolation treatment respectively.
 
     The hospital will continue the contact tracing investigation of close contacts of the patients in accordance with the prevailing guidelines. A series of enhanced infection control measures have already been adopted to prevent the spread of Candida auris:
 

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

 
     The hospital 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.