Updates on cluster of Candida auris cases in Kowloon Central Cluster
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The spokesperson for the Kowloon Central Cluster made the following announcement today (June 22):
Regarding an earlier announcement on Candida auris carrier cases in the Department of Medicine and Geriatrics of Kwong Wah Hospital (KWH), the hospital has identified two additional cases in the same ward involving male patients (aged 79 and 85) through screening. Both patients were found to be carriers of Candida auris without showing signs of infection and are in stable condition. One patient has been discharged after treatment, while the other remains in isolation at KWH.
Moreover, a male patient (aged 81) in a convalescent ward of TWGHs Wong Tai Sin Hospital (WTSH) was confirmed on June 10 to be carrying Candida auris without signs of infection. A contact tracing investigation was therefore conducted under prevailing guidelines and found that six more male patients (aged 76 to 92) from the same ward were also carrying Candida auris without signs of infection. Among them, one patient has been discharged earlier, and three patients are being treated in isolation and are in stable condition. One patient has been transferred to Kwong Wah Hospital and is in serious condition due to his own underlying illness, while the other two patients (aged 76 and 81) passed away earlier due to their own underlying illnesses.
The ward concerned has adopted the following enhanced infection control measures:
- enhanced patient and environmental screening procedures;
- applied stringent contact precautions and enhanced hand hygiene of staff and patients;
- thorough cleaning and disinfection of the ward concerned; and
- adjusted visiting arrangements as appropriate.
The cases have been reported to the Hospital Authority Head Office and the Centre for Health Protection of the Department of Health for necessary follow-up.
Ends/Monday, June 22, 2026
Issued at HKT 18:45
Issued at HKT 18:45
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