The Indiana Department of Health and Clark County Health Department are currently conducting contact tracing to identify and test individuals thought to have been potentially exposed to tuberculosis at Clark Memorial Health Hospital in Jeffersonville. This follows a confirmed case of tuberculosis in a staff member at the hospital.
As a result, around 500 patients have been notified by the hospital that they may have been exposed. Although it appears at this time that there have been no further positive tests, Clark Memorial Health and related departments are continuing to monitor the situation and take appropriate actions.
Tuberculosis is a disease caused by germs that are spread from person to person through the air. People with tuberculosis can die if they do not get treatment in a timely manner. Symptoms of the illness include weak or sick feelings, weight loss, night sweats, chest pain, coughing, and coughing up blood.
Clark County Health Officer Eric Yazel told reporters a “significant exposure” and special clinics were held in early August to test those who may have been exposed.
“And then we’ve been contacting some individuals at the individual level and monitoring,” he said to the newspaper. “It doesn’t look like that exposure is turning into a plot of positive tests… but that’s definitely something that we’ve been responding to from the health department side of things.”
Clark Memorial Health has said that its personnel and infection control protocols are adept at managing all kinds of infectious diseases, including TB, and has assured community members that the hospital is safe for them to visit should they or their families require care.
“We are working closely with the Indiana Department of Health and the Clark County Health Department and are following the appropriate infectious disease protocols, which includes conducting contact tracing to identify and test individuals who may have been potentially exposed,” said Clark Memorial in a statement.
