Interior Health says there is no cause for alarm following a positive case of tuberculosis (TB) in Grand Forks.
Dr Silvina Mema, Deputy Chief Medical Health Officer with Interior Health, says there are a number of individuals who could have been exposed, but they are not concerned about widespread exposure to the community.
“There is no increased risk for the general community in Grand Forks,” said Dr Mema.
“We know who the individuals that could have been exposed are and we are contacting them one by one.”
“Notification to those that should be taking action has already happened. People who have not received any notification from us, they are not at increased risk.”
The alert comes due to the high volume of suspected close contacts.
“We are reaching out to a larger number of people than usual.”
Interior Health’s Communicable Disease Unit will conduct contact tracing in the Grand Forks area, and any affected individuals will be directly notified, and appropriately screened for TB infection.
Where appropriate based on screening results, contacts will be offered treatment, which is effective in preventing active TB Disease.
TB is not spread through casual and brief interactions such as visiting retail outlets or in outdoor settings.
“Tuberculosis needs prolonged and close exposure in order to spread. So, I would like to reassure the community that there is no increased risk.” said Dr Mema.
B.C. averages about 27 cases of TB per month and Interior Health averages about 15 confirmed cases per year.
For every case, processes are in place to follow up with anyone potentially impacted.
Accurate information about TB is available here:
https://www.healthlinkbc.ca/illnesses-conditions/infectious-diseases/tuberculosis-tb
http://www.bccdc.ca/health-info/diseases-conditions/tuberculosis
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