Cluster of Candida auris cases in TWGHs Wong Tai Sin Hospital
*************************************************************

The following is issued on behalf of the Hospital Authority:

     ​The spokesperson for TWGHs Wong Tai Sin Hospital (WTSH) made the following announcement today (March 8):

     Two male patients (aged 59 and 76) of a ward of the Department of Tuberculosis and Chest in WTSH have been confirmed as carriers of Candida auris upon testing since March 1. One of the patients is hospitalised in isolation in WTSH without signs of infection. He is in stable condition. The other patient has been discharged.

     WTSH 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 wards concerned;
  2. Enhanced patient and environmental screening procedures; and
  3. Application of stringent contact precautions and enhanced hand hygiene of staff and patients.

     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.

Ends/Friday, March 8, 2024
Issued at HKT 18:50

NNNN