WEST VIRGINIA: TB Diagnosis Prompts Testing of Hospital Staff, Patients

Important note: Information in this article was accurate in 2007. The state of the art may have changed since the publication date.

WEST VIRGINIA: TB Diagnosis Prompts Testing of Hospital Staff, Patients

Associated Press (12.29.07) - Monday, December 31, 2007

City Hospital officials are contacting more than 800 patients and 60 staff who may have been exposed to tuberculosis. An annual screening at the Martinsburg-based hospital revealed that one employee working in the obstetrics unit had an active TB infection. Since then, officials have been tracking down people who were in the unit and under the infected worker's direct care from April 9 to Nov. 29.

"We're talking about 880 patients. We had to determine who they were, and compile a list of patients who were potentially exposed," said Michael Groves, vice president of patient care services at City Hospital.

Teresa McCabe, the hospital's vice president for marketing and development, said those persons considered at risk will be tested and, if necessary, treated at City Hospital. "We feel that exposure is probably minimal," she said.

A concern is that the employee worked in obstetrics. "That is a reason we're really being proactive about this," said Berkeley County Health Officer Diana Gaviria. "We're trying to reach out to all mothers and babies."

Notification letters are being sent out to those who may have been exposed, and the county Health Department will offer free TB screening clinics through January.
071231
AD072707

Copyright © 2007 - Information, Inc., Bethesda, MD. The CDC National Center for HIV, STD and TB Prevention provides the following information as a public service only. Providing synopses of key scientific articles and lay media reports on HIV/AIDS, other sexually transmitted diseases and tuberculosis does not constitute CDC endorsement. This daily update also includes information from CDC and other government agencies, such as background on Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report (MMWR) articles, fact sheets, press releases and announcements. Reproduction of this text is encouraged; however, copies may not be sold, and the CDC HIV/STD/TB Prevention News Update should be cited as the source of the information. Contact the sources of the articles abstracted below for full texts of the articles.

AEGiS is a 501(c)3, not-for-profit, tax-exempt, educational corporation. AEGiS is made possible through unrestricted funding from Boehringer Ingelheim, Bridgestone/Firestone Charitable Trust, Elton John AIDS Foundation, the National Library of Medicine, AIDS Walk of Orange County, and donations from users like you.

Always watch for outdated information. This article first appeared in 2007. This material is designed to support, not replace, the relationship that exists between you and your doctor.

AEGiS presents published material, reprinted with permission and neither endorses nor opposes any material. All information contained on this website, including information relating to health conditions, products, and treatments, is for informational purposes only. It is often presented in summary or aggregate form. It is not meant to be a substitute for the advice provided by your own physician or other medical professionals. Always discuss treatment options with a doctor who specializes in treating HIV.

Copyright ©1980, 2007. AEGiS. All materials appearing on AEGiS are protected by copyright as a collective work or compilation under U.S. copyright and other laws and are the property of AEGiS, or the party credited as the provider of the content.