A hospital worker may have exposed more than 700 babies in El Paso to tuberculosis. The infection took place in a hospital nursery. Along with the infants, 40 employees were also exposed to the virus, from the employee, who had an active case of the disease. Possible infections were spread out over a one-year period between September 2013 and August 2014.
The El Paso Department of Public Health (DPH) is attempting to uncover which employees and infants may have been exposed to the dangerous bacteria. The department has, so far, identified 43 workers and 706 babies who may be at danger from tuberculosis. Each of the adults identified, as well as the families of exposed infants, will be contacted by telephone and certified letter. Instructions will be provided, outlining treatment options. Screenings and follow-up procedures will be provided free of charge by health officials.
Tuberculosis does not spread easily, usually requiring close contact over an extended period to move from one person to another. The bacteria have also been known to spread through the air, after a person with an active TB infection sneezes or coughs. However, transmission by these methods is rarely seen.
The disease can lay dormant in human bodies for several months before blossoming into a case of tuberculosis. When the immune system of an infected person is able to fight the bacteria, the victim may feel perfectly healthy, experiencing no symptoms. This is known as a latent TB infection. Screening is vital in these cases, in order to start treatment before the infection takes hold. This can prevent an exposed patient from ever becoming severely ill. When the immune system weakens, the bacteria can multiply, bringing on a full-blown case of the illness.
"Tuberculosis (TB) is caused by a bacterium called Mycobacterium tuberculosis. The bacteria usually attack the lungs, but TB bacteria can attack any part of the body such as the kidney, spine, and brain. If not treated properly, TB disease can be fatal," the El Paso DPH stated on their website.
Providence Memorial Hospital, where the incident occurred, is stating that the spread of the bacteria does not constitute a risk to public health at large.
"Only persons with active TB disease can spread TB bacteria to others. Before you would be able to spread TB to others, you would have to breathe in TB bacteria and develop active infection," the El Paso DPH stated [pdf] on a Web page to keep people informed about the incident.
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The bacterial disease cannot be spread by kissing, sharing toothbrushes or food, or on toilet seats, according to the El Paso Department of Public Health.
