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London

Possible TB Exposure At London Hospitals

Local health officials say the risk of contraction is low, but they are working together to identify anyone who may have come into contact with a health care worker who has tested positive for tuberculosis.

The Middlesex London Health Unit says the health care provider worked at both the London Health Sciences Centre and St. Joseph's Health Care London. The health unit and the hospitals are now contacting staff and patients who may have come into contact with the worker.

"We are not releasing any information about the role of the person because they are, of course, now a patient," says Dr. Robin Walker, Integrated Vice President, Medical Affairs and Medical Education, LHSC and St. Joseph’s. "We must protect their confidentiality and private health information. It was someone who was working in a clinic setting." Dr. Walker says the tuberculosis was discovered in the worker through routine employee testing.

“The safety and wellbeing of all patients and staff at LHSC and St. Joseph’s is of utmost importance, and we will continue to work together with the MLHU to ensure that all individuals at potential risk are identified and assessed as quickly as possible," he adds.

Tuberculosis typically affects the lungs and causes symptoms like coughing, fever, night sweats, and weight loss. It is most often spread when a person spends a prolonged amount of time in the same room with an infected person.

Dr. Christopher Mackie, Medical Officer of Health with the health unit, says people shouldn't panic.

"In general you need to have a fairly significant contact in order to be at risk of acquiring tuberculosis from someone," he says. "So the majority of people who have contact would not end up developing any type of infection. The next level of safety is really around your immune system, so generally the first type of infection you'd acquire is a latent infection. In other words, it's in your body but your body is controlling the tuberculosis. That can go on to go into the lungs, it can be spread to other people but that only happens in about 10% of people. So we are talking about 10% of a minority of this type of exposure. We're pretty optimistic that if there is any secondary transmission here that it will be a low number of people."

Dr. Mackie says the health unit is reaching out by phone or hand delivered letter to people who have been identified as having possible exposure to the worker. He says there is no on-going public risk related to this case

Anyone with any questions is invited to call (519) 663-5317 ext. 5253. Information about tuberculosis can also be found at www.healthunit.com/tuberculosis.

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