Update on Candida auris cases at 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 gave the following update today (January 7):
 
     Having conducted contact tracing, five more female patients (aged 28 to 75) in a medicine and geriatrics ward of the hospital were confirmed as Candida auris carriers while not having signs of infection. The patients are now being treated under isolation with stable condition.
 
     The hospital will continue the contact tracing 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;
3.     Application of stringent contact precautions and enhanced hand hygiene for staff and patients;
4.     Application of PCR rapid testing for early identification of carriers; and
5.     Application of designated equipment for patient use to avoid cross-infection.
 
     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.