TB Testing Continues In Vanderhoof
By 250 News
Tuesday, April 24, 2007 11:29 AM
The Northern Health Unit in Vanderhoof says a total of 75 people have now been tested for TB in that community.
Northern Health cautions that just because7 have a positive skin test, that doesn’t mean they all have TB.
There is one confirmed case of TB in that community and people who had more than 5-10 minutes of contact with that person are being tested.
“If you ever have been in contact with someone who had TB you will test positive” says Dr Lorna Medd, Northern Health’s, Medical Health Officer, and then further tests must be undertaken. Medd says a positive skin test does not mean you will get TB. “A positive skin test means you were exposed and your body has warded off the disease. That is why we also do chest x-rays to see if the illness has settled and is starting to replicate.” Results of the x-rays are not yet in.
Residents of Vanderhoof were concerned people who ate at a local restaurant may have contracted the disease after a person working in the back of the kitchen tested positive.
The Health Authority says, restaurant customers are not being asked to come to the health unit for TB tests. The people being tested had been in contact with the known TB carrier for extended periods of time. The person who has been confirmed to have the illness is now in isolation.
Dr. Medd says simply handling food will not transmit the disease nor will poor hygiene. The only means of contracting the disease is if a person with TB coughs (or sneezes) in your air space. “We are not testing people who ate at the restaurant because this is not a food born disease and there was no risk to people who ate there.”
Medd says the restaurant is safe “I will be eating there the next time I’m in Vanderhoof, they have good food.”
TB has surfaced in Prince George over the past six years
In 2001, there were 2 cases
2002, there were 6
2003, there were 2 cases
in 2004 there were 5
in 2005 there were 2
and in 2006, no cases.
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Posted by: ammonra on April 24 2007 6:18 PM
She was known to frequently sit among staff and customers in the smoking area of the restuarant in question.
She smokes.
Many of the staff smoke.
Smokers cough.
This apparently one kitchen worker has had this since November. That's when she becan having this 'cold'. She had been to see doctors but this was overlooked. Probably because it's rare enough.
That means that exposure has taken place over a 5 month period. To that end, others who work with her have been in close contact with the kitchen worker for some time through the winter months when windows and doors are closed and she has had this persistent cough.
Please try and console me about the grave nature of this. Just try.
I think it is nothing more than a cover up to prevent panic in my community.
I am not one who condones conspiracy theories. But there is something not right about this.
And my wife was tested today. If she has it, then it is certain that our grandson of just three years has it because of where he has slept. And lucky me with MS, do I have it too?
Oh joys.