Update on Candida auris case in Princess Margaret Hospital
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Regarding an earlier announcement on a patient confirmed to be a Candida auris carrier, the spokesperson for Princess Margaret Hospital (PMH) gave the following update today (July 4):
According to the contact tracing result, a 59-year-old male patient has been confirmed as carrying Candida auris while not having signs of infection. The patient is a resident of the United States (US). He developed cardiac arrest when he was in transit at Hong Kong International Airport from the Philippines to the US on May 8. He was admitted to the Intensive Care Unit and then the Medical and Geriatric Ward of PMH. The patient is now being treated under isolation with stable condition. In accordance with the prevailing guidelines, PMH has commenced contact tracing for the patient. The following enhanced infection control measures have already been adopted:
- Thorough cleaning and disinfection of the wards concerned;
- Enhanced patient and environmental screening procedures; and
- Application of stringent contact precautions and enhanced hand hygiene for staff and patients.
The hospital will continue to closely monitor the situation of the patient. The case has been reported to the Hospital Authority Head Office and the Centre for Health Protection for necessary follow-up.
Ends/Thursday, July 4, 2019
Issued at HKT 18:20
Issued at HKT 18:20
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