Health Unit investigating an active tuberculosis case Update

North Bay Parry Sound District Health Unit
News Release

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The Health Unit worked with École St-Vincent élémentaire catholique this week to coordinate Tuberculin Skin Tests (TSTs) for individuals at the school who were deemed to have been in contact with an infectious person. All TST results were negative, indicating that no one at the school has been infected with Tuberculosis. While the x-ray results are not yet available, health officials do not expect any concerning results.


Investigating TB is one of the Ontario Public Health Standards for health units. Standard protocols are in place to contain outbreaks and reduce the spread. TB can be treated and prevented with proper medical care.


For more information about TB, call the Health Unit at 705-474-1400, ext. 2229, or visit the Health Unit's TB web page, www.healthunit.biz/Tuberculosis.asp.

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The Health Unit is working with École St-Vincent élémentaire catholique after someone at the school was diagnosed with an active case of tuberculosis (TB).

The risk of infection for the school population is very low because TB does not spread easily.

As a normal process with any active TB disease, the Health Unit follows up on all close contacts of the TB case.

The Health Unit met with Conseil scolaire catholique Franco-Nord’s Director of Education, Cynthia Roveda, and Superintendant of Education, Éric Foisy, to discuss the situation.

The Health Unit has called the parents of the students who were in close contact with the TB case.

The parents were provided with information and arrangements were made for their children who were in close contact to be tested for TB.

Only those contacted by the Health Unit need to be tested for TB.

Information sessions were held at the school for school staff and parents of the children the Health Unit contacted.

Information letters were sent to the parents of children attending the school that did not have close contact as well.

TB is a bacterial infection that enters your body through the air. A person with active TB disease may spray TB germs when they cough, talk, sing or sneeze.

It does not spread easily and to be infected, usually you must spend many hours a day over a long period of time with a person who has active TB disease.

If you have questions or want more information about TB, call the Health Unit at 705-474-1400, ext. 2229, or visit the Health Unit’s website, www.healthunit.biz.

Quotes

“The risk of TB infection is very low. The Health Unit routinely investigates the contacts of people with active TB disease. Those in close contact with the person with active TB disease have been contacted by a Public Health Nurse,” Dr. Jim Chirico, Medical Officer of Health/Executive Officer

“We are working closely with the Health Unit to be sure our staff, parents and students have the information they need. The Health Unit has assured us the TB investigation is a normal process and the risk to staff and students is indeed very low,” Cynthia Roveda, Director of Education, Conseil scolaire catholique Franco-Nord

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