Cluster of Candida auris cases in Kowloon Hospital
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The spokesperson for Kowloon Hospital (KH) made the following announcement today (March 24):
A 90-year-old male patient in a male medical convalescent ward and a 74-year-old female patient in a female rehabilitation ward were confirmed to carry Candida auris on March 21 without signs of infection. In accordance with the prevailing guideline, KH has commenced contact tracing and found two more male patients (aged 76 and 77) who stayed in the same male ward and four more female patients (aged 75 to 97) who stayed in the same female ward carrying Candida auris without signs of infection. One patient has been discharged. The remaining patients are now treated under isolation with stable condition.
The hospital has reported the cases to the Hospital Authority Head Office and the Centre for Health Protection (CHP). The following enhanced infection control measures have already been adopted:
- Thorough cleaning and disinfection of the ward concerned;
- Enhanced patient and environmental screening procedures; and
- Application of stringent contact precautions and enhanced hand hygiene of staff and patients.
The hospital will continue to closely monitor the situation as well as follow up the cases with departments concerned and the CHP.
Ends/Friday, March 24, 2023
Issued at HKT 19:25
Issued at HKT 19:25
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