April 19, 2002
Tuberculosis cases identified at The Hospital for Sick Children
The Hospital for Sick Children (SickKids), in conjunction with the Chief Medical Officer of Health for the Province of Ontario, is investigating the possibility of an exposure to tuberculosis (TB) at the hospital's Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) that may have occurred during a seven-week period from December 15, 2001 to February 5, 2002. Two cases of TB have been identified in the NICU.
SickKids, in conjunction with public health officials in Toronto, Durham Region and the Province of Ontario, is undertaking a full investigation. At this time, it is not confirmed that the two cases are linked but all necessary precautions are being taken. The NICU remains open and continues to accept new admissions.
Dr. Alan Goldbloom, Executive Vice-President and Chief Operating Officer, SickKids, says, "We are testing staff and patients who have even a remote possibility of exposure. The risk of TB is low but we are doing everything we can to ensure the safety of our staff and patients."
As a precaution, SickKids has arranged TB tests for all babies who were in the NICU between December 15, 2001 and February 5, 2002. More than 100 families are being notified by the hospital and asked to attend a special clinic to have TB tests done. Public health officials will follow up with family members and others who may have had any exposure.
NICU families may call (416) 813-7700 between 9 a.m. and 9 p.m. today and tomorrow or 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday to make an appointment with a special clinic that has been set up at SickKids.
Dr. Stanley Read, Chief of Infectious Diseases, SickKids, says, "TB can be prevented and cured with proper medical treatment. We are putting the babies who come to the clinic on a preventative treatment and will re-assess them in one month."
While tuberculosis is seen in older children and adults in Canada, it is extraordinarily rare in new-borns.
Humber River Regional Hospital, where the first baby was born, is taking all appropriate actions regarding their patients and staff who may have been exposed. Lakeridge Health and the Durham Region Health Department are working together to notify families who may have come in contact with the second patient, who visited Lakeridge Health's Emergency Room. No cases of TB have been confirmed in Durham Region. However, all precautions are being taken and staff and families who may have been exposed have been notified and asked to attend clinics to test for TB on Sunday, April 21 and Monday, April 22 at Lakeridge Health.
Public Health Units in Toronto and Durham Region are working with the Chief Medical Officer of Health for Ontario to investigate the cases and to assist in contacting families.
"Ontario's public health system has procedures to deal with cases of TB," says Dr. Colin d'Cunha, Chief Medical Officer of Health for Ontario. "The Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care is working closely with the hospitals and the public health units to manage this situation."
Tuberculosis is a potentially serious disease that can damage the lungs or other parts of the body. When people with active, untreated TB germs in the lungs or throat cough or sneeze, they tend to spray TB germs into the air. People nearby who breathe those germs can become infected but only if they have had very close, day-to-day contact with someone who has TB. TB can be prevented and cured with proper medical treatment as long as people take their medication as prescribed.
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For further information, please contact: Helen Simeon, Director of Public Affairs, SickKids, at (416) 813-6380 or David Jensen, Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care, at (416) 314-6197.
For more information, please contact:
Public Affairs
The Hospital for Sick Children
555 University Avenue
Suite 1742, Public Affairs, First floor Atrium
Toronto,
ON
M5G 1X8
Canada
Phone: 416-813-5058
Fax: 416-813-5328