Updates on cluster of Candida auris cases in Kowloon Central Cluster
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The spokesperson for Kowloon Central Cluster made the following announcement today (August 15):
Regarding an earlier announcement on Candida auris carrier cases in a ward of the department of tuberculosis and chest in TWGHs Wong Tai Sin Hospital (WTSH), following a contact tracing investigation, one more patient, an 89-year-old female, in the same ward was identified as a carrier of Candida auris without signs of infection. She is in serious condition due to underlying diseases and is being treated in isolation in WTSH.
Moreover, regarding an earlier announcement on Candida auris carrier cases in the medicine and geriatrics ward of Hong Kong Buddhist Hospital, one more patient, an 85-year-old male, in the same ward was confirmed to carry Candida auris without signs of infection following a contact tracing investigation. The patient is now being treated in isolation in Kowloon Hospital and is in stable condition.
The hospitals 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 patient and environmental screening procedures; and
3. Application of stringent contact precautions and enhanced hand hygiene of staff and patients.
The hospitals will closely monitor the situation in the wards. The cases have been reported to the Hospital Authority Head Office and the Centre for Health Protection for necessary follow-up.
Ends/Thursday, August 15, 2024
Issued at HKT 18:35
Issued at HKT 18:35
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