Feds Involved In Local TB Cases
July 28, 2016 at 4:25 p.m.
Local and state health officials are concerned enough about the 10 positive cases of tuberculosis in Kosciusko County to call in a medical team from the Center for Disease Control.
Ten new cases, all related under the microscope, have been reported this year. From 1999 to 2004, there were 19 cases reported in the county.
"The CDC is here because all of the cases are similar, with the same genotype. When they do testing on the actual bacteria, they're all related," said County Health Administrator Bob Weaver. "It's significant because we could be talking about one source, but it branches out so rapidly, pretty soon you're tracking hundreds of people. Depending on the test results, they may need chest x-rays and medication.
"It takes a lot of expertise and, pretty much, that's what the state and the federal people bring to the table."
The CDC team travels around the country investigating TB outbreaks. The cases here constitute an outbreak.
In September, County Health Officer Dr. William Remington said there were nine cases of active TB, with six infectious.
Colored pins on a county map showed the cases in the northeastern third of the county - Leesburg, North Webster and Syracuse.
"Most of the people are substantial alcohol users who've been in the bars in the northern part of the county," Remington said then.
Last week, County Nurse Deb Frank confirmed patrons of RC's Pier and the Eagles in Syracuse were affected.
Friday, free TB tests were available at the Eagles on Kern Road from 6 to 9 p.m. Results from those tests take time, Weaver said this morning.
Sputum tests are sent to a state lab. Even initial skin tests may take several weeks to read.
"Our focus is on trying to contain it," Weaver said of the outbreak. "We're trying to keep it in this area so it's not expanding."
As people come into contact with their families, friends and co-workers, the potential for contamination spreads. Children could carry the disease to other children.
The federal and state officials are providing manpower and resources to track and contact people who may have been exposed to the disease.
Health care providers and hospitals have been alerted to the outbreak. State and federal personnel provide them with education and resources.
"We're definitely concerned," said Tom Duszynski, the state department of health's field epidemiology director. "We want to help Kosciusko County manage this and get through with no long-term effects."
Duszynski said the state has been in close contact with the local health department, following case management and reinforcing procedures.
There are no plans to close any establishments at this time.
People who drink alcohol to excess have the highest rates of TB contact in the state. From 2000 to 2004, 659 cases of TB have been reported.
Kosciusko County is considered a "low-incidence" area, although there were 15 people diagnosed with TB here from 2000 to 2004, prior to the 10 cases reported this year.
Duszynski said of the 10 new county cases, one person has been hospitalized.
TB screenings are free and, in most cases, antibiotics to treat the disease are provided by the state at no charge. The course of treatment lasts a minimum of six months.
TB is an air-borne disease. Infection comes when someone with the disease coughs or sneezes and another person breathes in the bacteria.
Anyone with a productive cough that produces blood sputum or that lasts more than three weeks should seek medical attention. Other symptoms include fever, night sweats, fatigue and weight loss without dieting.
For most people who become infected, their body is able to limit the spread of the bacteria and not let them develop into TB disease. These persons are said to have latent TB infection and pose no public health threat to others around them. [[In-content Ad]]
Local and state health officials are concerned enough about the 10 positive cases of tuberculosis in Kosciusko County to call in a medical team from the Center for Disease Control.
Ten new cases, all related under the microscope, have been reported this year. From 1999 to 2004, there were 19 cases reported in the county.
"The CDC is here because all of the cases are similar, with the same genotype. When they do testing on the actual bacteria, they're all related," said County Health Administrator Bob Weaver. "It's significant because we could be talking about one source, but it branches out so rapidly, pretty soon you're tracking hundreds of people. Depending on the test results, they may need chest x-rays and medication.
"It takes a lot of expertise and, pretty much, that's what the state and the federal people bring to the table."
The CDC team travels around the country investigating TB outbreaks. The cases here constitute an outbreak.
In September, County Health Officer Dr. William Remington said there were nine cases of active TB, with six infectious.
Colored pins on a county map showed the cases in the northeastern third of the county - Leesburg, North Webster and Syracuse.
"Most of the people are substantial alcohol users who've been in the bars in the northern part of the county," Remington said then.
Last week, County Nurse Deb Frank confirmed patrons of RC's Pier and the Eagles in Syracuse were affected.
Friday, free TB tests were available at the Eagles on Kern Road from 6 to 9 p.m. Results from those tests take time, Weaver said this morning.
Sputum tests are sent to a state lab. Even initial skin tests may take several weeks to read.
"Our focus is on trying to contain it," Weaver said of the outbreak. "We're trying to keep it in this area so it's not expanding."
As people come into contact with their families, friends and co-workers, the potential for contamination spreads. Children could carry the disease to other children.
The federal and state officials are providing manpower and resources to track and contact people who may have been exposed to the disease.
Health care providers and hospitals have been alerted to the outbreak. State and federal personnel provide them with education and resources.
"We're definitely concerned," said Tom Duszynski, the state department of health's field epidemiology director. "We want to help Kosciusko County manage this and get through with no long-term effects."
Duszynski said the state has been in close contact with the local health department, following case management and reinforcing procedures.
There are no plans to close any establishments at this time.
People who drink alcohol to excess have the highest rates of TB contact in the state. From 2000 to 2004, 659 cases of TB have been reported.
Kosciusko County is considered a "low-incidence" area, although there were 15 people diagnosed with TB here from 2000 to 2004, prior to the 10 cases reported this year.
Duszynski said of the 10 new county cases, one person has been hospitalized.
TB screenings are free and, in most cases, antibiotics to treat the disease are provided by the state at no charge. The course of treatment lasts a minimum of six months.
TB is an air-borne disease. Infection comes when someone with the disease coughs or sneezes and another person breathes in the bacteria.
Anyone with a productive cough that produces blood sputum or that lasts more than three weeks should seek medical attention. Other symptoms include fever, night sweats, fatigue and weight loss without dieting.
For most people who become infected, their body is able to limit the spread of the bacteria and not let them develop into TB disease. These persons are said to have latent TB infection and pose no public health threat to others around them. [[In-content Ad]]