Screening offered after health worker found to have TB

Screening tests are being offered to about 200 people who may have been in contact with a Wellington health care worker suffering tuberculosis (TB).

The person worked in Wellington and Kenepuru hospitals and several residential care facilities in the greater Wellington area between late December 2008 and early this month, Wellington Regional Public Health said today.

Letters had been sent to about 200 contacts, including hospital patients, residential care staff and residents, informing them of the situation.

Contacts include residents in four residential facilities: Cashmere Home, Johnsonvale Rest Home and Hospital, Guardian at Whitby, and Maddison.

Four other rest homes were assessed but no residents were identified as contacts.

Hospital staff will be screened through the Capital and Coast District Health Board occupational health service.

A free phone line (0800 120 064) has also been set up for people who have received notification that they are contacts, or others who may require more information.

Medical officer of health Dr Margot McLean said that the likelihood that anyone in the hospitals or residential facilities had contracted the disease from the health care worker was low.

"Normally, we'd focus on people who had been in significant contact for a prolonged period of time, such as family members or close friends," she said.

"But we're being particularly cautious because these contacts are in hospital or residential facilities and, therefore, could be more vulnerable to infection."

Screening tests were being offered as a part of the contact follow up.

The screening consists of a blood test, followed by a chest X-ray if the contact had a positive blood test or other risk factors for developing tuberculosis.

Dr McLean said that tuberculosis usually took a long time to develop.

"It is not likely that anyone who has been in recent contact with this person has become ill," she said.

"This screening will identify those who may be at risk of developing TB in the future and who would benefit from preventive medication or information."

Tuberculosis is usually treated with a course of three to four antibiotics over a period of six to twelve months.

Meanwhile in Rotorua at least 25 people will have to be screened after a Rotorua student was diagnosed with TB.

- NZPA