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First outbreak in Quebec of a deadly super-fungus
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Thomas Gerbet
Posted yesterday at 2:01 a.m.
A national crisis unit is mobilized and an investigation is underway at the Pierre-Boucher Hospital in Longueuil, where the "killer fungus" has spread, Radio-Canada has learned. This is the first time an outbreak of Candida auris has occurred in Quebec.
Most Hospital employees are unaware that this intruder is present in their facility. According to a public health source, authorities asked those informed to exercise discretion.
Candida auris attacks hospitalized patients, mainly those with weakened immune systems or those undergoing surgery or intravenous treatment. An infected person has a 30 to 60% chance of dying.
Outbreak timeline
As early as September 8, the presence of the deadly fungus was suspected in the armpits of a 65-year-old patient treated for pneumonia in Pierre-Boucher. The positive case was formalized on September 15 by the Public Health Laboratory of Quebec.
Then, on September 19, a second case was confirmed. It was another occupant of the same room. He died the next day in intensive care from another cause.
What worries the health authorities is that neither of the two patients was returning from abroad. An outbreak declaration was issued on Tuesday to the relevant health personnel.
The CISSSde la Montérégie-Est informed Radio-Canada that three other users of the hospital who had close contacts are under investigation. However, according to our sources, dozens of patients would have been screened, on several units, because they would have had direct or indirect contact with the positive cases.
It worries me a lot , said a member of the medical staff of the establishment, informed of the situation, who is not authorized to speak about it.
“ We knew that eventually Candida auris was going to come to Quebec, it was a matter of time when we look at what is happening in the United States. I'm just surprised it's in Quebec so quickly. »
— A quote from a member of the medical profession informed of the situation at Pierre-Boucher Hospital
The super-yeast is of growing concern to US health authorities. On Wednesday, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention ( CDC) have again issued a warning.
In addition to being difficult to detect, Candida auris is resistant to antifungal treatments. The problem has become endemic in the United States, where more and more cases are being detected in hospitals.
It is difficult to get rid of the fungus on surfaces, up to several weeks. In 2019, at Mount Sinai Hospital in New York, sections of the walls and ceiling had to be removed and replaced to successfully eradicate the fungus from the contaminated walls.
An article from the New York Times(New window)reported that everything was positive for C. auris around infected patients: telephones, doors, handles, mattresses, windows, etc.
Increased precaution in Pierre-Boucher and in another hospital
The CISSSof Montérégie-Est ensures that additional precautionary measures were put in place as of September 8, with suspected cases and close contacts , who have been isolated.
From September 15, when an outbreak was suspected, measures were added such as wearing masks, gowns and gloves, as well as the use of chlorine products to disinfect surfaces.
“ Since September 8, the care teams concerned have been kept informed of the measures to be applied [...] Additional information on Candida auris was transmitted to the personnel concerned on September 13. »
— A quote from Caroline Doucet, spokesperson for the CISSS de la Montérégie-Est
According to our sources, the Anna-Laberge Hospital in Châteauguay is also the subject of increased surveillance, because the first positive patient spent a day there this summer.
The National Institute of Public Health of Quebec ( INSPQ )) is mobilized in this file, alongside the Ministry of Health and Social Services. According to the INSPQ, Quebec had known only three isolated cases of Candida auris in the past , all patients returning from abroad (Africa and the United States).
It is therefore the first time that Quebecers have been infected without having stayed outside the country.
Only one outbreak had been reported in Canada before, in British Columbia, for a total of 37 cases in the country since 2012, including the latest in Longueuil. These are mainly people returning from medical tourism trips abroad .
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https://ici.radio-canada.ca/nouvell...c-hopital-pierre-boucher?depuisRecherche=true
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Candida auris : no other infected patient at Pierre-Boucher Hospital
Radio Canada
Posted at 10:05 a.m.
After the discovery of two patients infected with the Candida auris fungus at Pierre-Boucher Hospital in Longueuil, the CISSS de la Montérégie-Est confirmed to us that the other patients who were "under investigation" all received negative results for screening tests.
The opening of a national crisis unit following the discovery of this fungus at the Longueuil hospital center, revealed Thursday by Radio-Canada , has created concern among both patients and hospital staff. , the majority of which were unaware of the presence of Candida auris in their establishment.
The Candida auris fungus attacks hospitalized patients, primarily those with weakened immune systems and those undergoing surgery or intravenous therapy. An infected person has a 30 to 60% chance of dying.
In a press release published Friday, the CIUSSS de la Montérégie-Centre assured that the outbreak of Candida auris is well circumscribed in the hospital and the required infection prevention and control measures are applied there .
“ The hospital remains a safe place of care for employees and clients. The population should not hesitate to go there if their state of health requires it or if they have to deal with it. »
— A quote from Excerpt from the press release from the Montérégie-Centre Integrated Health and Social Services Center
All hospital activities continue; appointments are maintained and people who have to undergo surgery can have surgery as planned , continues the management of the CIUSSS.
As for the people who recently went to the Pierre-Boucher Hospital, Dr. Julie Loslier, Director of Public Health for the Montérégie, wanted to reassure them and explained that only the people who were present on the unit where the C. auris was found have been or will be contacted by our team.
The CIUSSS recalls that Candida auris is transmitted by touching contaminated surfaces or by direct contact between two people.
Hand hygiene remains the best protection.
With information from Thomas Gerbet
https://ici.radio-canada.ca/nouvelle/1918126/candida-auris-pierre-boucher-patients-negatifs
