Dangerous fungus detected in Quebec City hospital, warn health officials – Montreal
Regional health authorities say a dangerous fungus known for its resistance to treatment has been detected in a hospital in Longueuil, Quebec, on the South Shore of Montreal.
Officials at Pierre-Boucher Hospital say two cases of patients with Candida auris have been identified at the hospital since September 8.
On this date, a first person suspected of carrying the fungus was placed in isolation along with his relatives.
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Spokesperson Caroline Doucet says other precautionary measures have been taken, including instructions to staff in the unit where the cases occurred regarding personal protective equipment, frequent hand washing and safety measures. disinfection.
All patients who had close contact with the two cases have been tested and the health agency says the hospital remains safe for users.
According to the United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Candida auris is an emerging fungus that is considered a serious threat to global health because it is often resistant to several antifungal drugs, is difficult to identify with standard laboratory tests and can trigger epidemics in health care. settings.
Federal Health Minister Jean-Yves Duclos expressed concern about the presence of the pathogen in Quebec and asked federal public health officials to expedite the collection of information from the provinces in order to obtain a better picture of the situation.
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