Cluster of Candida auris Cases Found in Elderly Care Home Sparks Concern

CHP follows up on cluster of Candida auris carrier cases

The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health is today (August 12) following up on a cluster of Candida auris carrier cases announced earlierinvolving a residential care home for the elderly (RCHE) in Sha Tin, with a new case recorded. The CHP reminded members of the public about the proper use of antimicrobials and maintaining personal hygiene against infection.

The CHP received notification from the Hospital Authority (HA) that an 83-year-old male resident of the aforementionedRCHE, who was earlier admitted to Prince of Wales Hospital, was confirmed to have carried Candida auris upon testing. The patient, with underlying illnesses, has no symptoms of infection and is in stable condition. Epidemiological investigations by the CHP revealed that the patient shared the same room with one of the cases (another 83-year-old male patient) of the cluster at the RCHE that was earlier announced (involving two cases related to clusters of Candida auris cases in Prince of Wales Hospital and Shatin Hospital as well as one infection case at the RCHE). Currently, the Candida auris carrier cases cluster of the RCHE concerned involves two patients, including the case announced today. The two other patients earlier announced had passed away due to their underlying medical conditions.

The CHP has immediately carried out follow-up actions and site inspection at the RCHE, and found that the physical limitations at the RCHE have contributed to the transmission of Candida auris in the RCHE. In light of the new case in the RCHE, the CHP has informed the Social Welfare Department and the Community Geriatric Assessment Team of the HA to strengthen the relevant support to the RCHE and assist the RCHE to implement appropriate infection control measures. The epidemiological investigation of the CHP is ongoing.

Apart from the follow-up measures mentioned above, the CHP has again provided infection control advice and training to staff of the RCHE. The RCHE is advised to follow the prevailing guidelines to enhance infection control measures, including appropriate placement of carrier residents, strict implementation of contact precautions, enhancement of environmental cleansing and disinfection, and the 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 RCHE concerned, monitor the situation of the residents and ensure the RCHE has 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, the 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 the emergence and cross-transmission of Candida auris.

Source: AI-generated images

Special traffic and transport arrangements for triathlon event in Central and Wan Chai districts from this Friday to Sunday

The Transport Department (TD) today (April 3) reminded members of the public that the following special traffic and transport arrangements will be implemented in phases from this Friday to Sunday (April 4 to 6) to facilitate the holding of the triathlon event in Central and Wan Chai districts.

1. Road closures

From 10am on Friday (April 4) to about 6pm on Sunday (April 6), the section of Expo Drive between Legislative Council Road and Expo Drive Central will be temporarily closed; and

From 1am to about 2pm on Saturday (April 5) and from 1am to about 6pm on Sunday (April 6), road closure and diversion measures will be implemented in the vicinities of the Central Harbourfront and Wan Chai North (Yiu Sing Street, Lung Wo Road, Lung Hop Street, Lung Tat Path, etc). The slip road of eastbound Central-Wan Chai Bypass Tunnel from Wan Chai heading to North Point will also be temporarily closed during the above period.

2. Public transport arrangements

To tie in with the road closure arrangements in the vicinity of Central Harbourfront, the departures of cross-harbour bus route nos. H1S and H2 heading to Central will be temporarily diverted to operate via Connaught Road Central in the following time periods until the closed road is reopened to traffic:

from the first departure on Saturday (April 5) to about 2pm; and

from the first departure on Sunday (April 6) to about 6pm.

During the road closure in Central Harbourfront, the bus stop on Man Yiu Street near Two International Finance Centre will be temporarily suspended.

Members of the public are advised to make use of public transport services as far as possible to avoid traffic congestion and unnecessary delays. During the event, the TD and the Police will closely monitor the traffic situation. The Police may adjust the traffic arrangements subject to the prevailing crowd and traffic conditions in the areas. Members of the public should pay attention to the latest traffic news through radio, television or the "HKeMobility" mobile application.

For details of the special traffic and public transport arrangements, members of the public may visit the TD website (www.td.gov.hk), its mobile application "HKeMobility" or passenger notices issued by the relevant public transport operators.