CHP follows up on two clusters of Candida auris carrier cases
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The first cluster involved an RCHE in Kwai Chung. The CHP received notification from the Hospital Authority (HA) on March 29 that a 71-year-old male resident of that RCHE, who had multiple admissions to Princess Margaret Hospital (PMH) from December last year to March this year, was confirmed to have carried Candida auris upon testing. He is now in a stable condition and has been discharged. Upon receiving the notification, the CHP conducted follow-up epidemiological investigation against the RCHE including carrying out contact tracing and screening for contacts in the same room. The investigation and test results today revealed that another six male residents, aged between 74 and 94, are carrier cases. The possibility of transmission in the RCHE is not ruled out. The seven carrier cases have no symptoms of infection.
The second cluster involved an RCHE in Sham Shui Po which is not epidemiologically linked with the first cluster. The CHP received notification from the HA on April 11 and 13 that three male residents of that RCHE, who were admitted to the Caritas Medical Centre (CMC), were confirmed to have carried Candida auris upon testing. The trio with underlying illnesses, aged between 54 and 95, have no symptoms of infection. Two of them have been discharged. The three patients have been admitted to the CMC multiple times in the past three months. The CHP is now investigating the infection source of the cluster and carrying out contact tracing and screening. Investigation is ongoing.
The CHP has provided infection control advice and staff training to staff of the RCHEs. The RCHEs are advised to follow the prevailing guidelines to enhance infection control measures including specific placement of the carrier resident, strict observation of infection control precautions, enhancement of environmental cleansing and disinfection, use of dedicated medical equipment, toilet and bathing facilities to prevent the spread of Candida auris. The CHP will keep in close liaison with the RCHEs concerned and monitor the situation of the residents, and ensure the RCHEs have carried out the various infection control measures.
A spokesman for the CHP explained that Candida is a fungus commonly found in the natural environment, particularly in moist and warm environments. In humans, it is commonly found in body sites such as the oral cavity, the digestive tract, skin and the vagina. It is a common fungus living on or in the human body but can occasionally cause infections, especially in individuals with impaired immunity.
Among the different candida species, Candida auris is more drug-resistant. Infections vary from being mild to potentially life-threatening or fatal, depending on which part of the body is affected and the general health condition of the patient. The spokesman stressed that proper use of antimicrobials and maintaining personal hygiene, especially hand hygiene, are crucial to the prevention of emergence and cross-transmission of Candida auris.
Ends/Friday, April 14, 2023
Issued at HKT 21:18
Issued at HKT 21:18
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