Update on clusters of Candida auris cases in Kwong Wah Hospital
****************************************************************
The spokesperson for Kwong Wah Hospital (KWH) made the following announcement today (May 22):
A 72-year-old male patient in the Department of Medicine and Geriatrics was confirmed on May 20 to be carrying Candida auris. In accordance with prevailing infection control guidelines, the hospital commenced a contact tracing investigation, which identified two additional male patients (aged 69 and 87) in the same ward as carriers of Candida auris. In addition, an 88-year-old male patient was identified as carrying Candida auris during admission screening at Kowloon Hospital following his transfer. All three patients show no signs of infection.
The four patients are now being treated in isolation. One patient has been transferred to Kowloon Hospital and is in stable condition. The other three remain in isolation at Kwong Wah Hospital, all in stable condition.
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:
- thorough cleaning and disinfection of the wards, including the environment and medical equipment;
- enhanced medical surveillance of the patients and screening procedures for patients and the environment in the wards; and
- applied stringent contact precautions and enhanced hand hygiene of staff.
The cases have been reported to the Hospital Authority Head Office and the Centre for Health Protection for necessary follow-up.
Ends/Friday, May 22, 2026
Issued at HKT 18:00
Issued at HKT 18:00
NNNN