55 exposed to infected carer test positive to TB germs

Fifty-five people have tested positive to germs that cause tuberculosis, after being exposed to a Wellington health carer infected with the potentially deadly disease.

The carer, originally from Zimbabwe, worked in Wellington and Kenepuru hospitals and several residential care facilities in the greater Wellington area between late December 2008 and early March.

Letters were sent to 263 people, including hospital patients, residential care staff and residents, who were identified by health authorities as having contact with the carer.

Wellington medical officer of health Annette Nesdale told The Dominion Post 183 had been screened for TB with 55 testing positive for latent tuberculosis infection.

None had shown symptoms, meaning they were not infectious, but they would be offered further screening to assess their risk of developing the disease.

Those who tested negative to the germs would be retested around three months after their last contact with the carer.

Screening consisted of a blood test, followed by a chest X-ray if the contact had a positive blood test or other risk factors for developing tuberculosis.

Tuberculosis was usually treated with a course of three to four antibiotics over a period of six to twelve months.

Dr Nesdale said health authorities were also attempting to find around 20 plane passengers who sat near the woman on two international flights and who would require screening.

Public health authorities overseas would be advised of passengers who had left the country.

Dr Nesdale said the infected carer was "doing well".

Capital and Coast District Health Board had suspended its contract with the agency that provided her, as its contracts required agencies to ensure staff did not have TB.

More than 300 cases of TB were notified in New Zealand last year a rate of seven per 100,000 people.

- NZPA