29th March 2023 – (Hong Kong) A 95-year-old male patient in a tuberculosis and chest ward of TWGHs Wong Tai Sin Hospital (WTSH) was confirmed to carry Candida auris on 19th March without signs of infection. In accordance with the prevailing guidelines, WTSH commenced contact tracing and found five more male patients (aged 20 to 82) and an 83-year-old female patient who stayed in the same ward carrying Candida auris without signs of infection. All seven patients are now being treated in isolation and are in stable condition.
Moreover, regarding an earlier announcement on Candida auris carrier cases in the medicine and geriatrics ward of Hong Kong Buddhist Hospital, one more 92-year-old male patient of the ward concerned was confirmed to carry Candida auris without signs of infection following a contact tracing investigation. The patient has passed away earlier due to his underlying disease.
The hospitals have adopted the following enhanced infection control measures in accordance with the prevailing guidelines:
1. Thorough cleaning and disinfection of the ward 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 of the wards. The cases have been reported to the Hospital Authority Head Office and the Centre for Health Protection for necessary follow-up.