Update on cluster of Candida auris cases in Tai Po Hospital
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The following is issued on behalf of the Hospital Authority:
Regarding an earlier announcement on Candida auris carrier cases, the spokesperson for Tai Po Hospital gave the following update today (March 11):
Following a contact tracing investigation, one more patient, a 63-year-old male in the medicine and geriatrics ward, was identified as a carrier of Candida auris while not having signs of infection. The patient was discharged earlier.
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:
- Enhanced patient and environmental screening procedures;
- Applied stringent contact precautions and enhanced hand hygiene for staff and patients; and
- Thorough cleaning and disinfection of the ward concerned.
The case has been reported to the Hospital Authority Head Office and the Centre for Health Protection of the Department of Health for necessary follow-up.