Some 87 vulnerable infants are being tested for tuberculosis after The Scarborough Hospital announced this week that a staff member tested positive for the disease.
“If any of these infants do test positive, be assured the hospital will provide immediate treatment and extensive follow-up care,” Chief of Paediatrics Dr. Peter Azzopardi said in a news release. “We have been working closely with some of North America’s leading tuberculosis experts at The Hospital for Sick Children and want to reassure parents that with the right protocols, TB infection can be found, treated and cured.”
The infants being tested stayed in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) between April 1 and July 18, 2012. Toronto Public Health has contacted the parents of all the infants and asked them to visit a special testing clinic set up at the hospital since August 1.
Health officials said the chance any of the babies contracted the disease is low and that the move to have them tested is precautionary.
“The tests we are recommending are really a precaution,” said Dr. Reena Lovinsky, the hospital’s medical director of infection prevention and control. “Although TB cases are on the rise in Toronto, they are extremely rare for newborns.”
According to the hospital, the test involves a simple skin test and chest x-ray, along with preventative treatment and ongoing follow-up assessments.
The hospital also said there is no further risk of transmission at either of its campuses and that parents who were not contacted do not need to bring in their infants for testing.