City health officials have revealed a concerning situation at St. Barnabas Hospital in the Bronx. An employee, whose identity has not been disclosed, was diagnosed with active tuberculosis on January 30th. This means that hundreds of patients, including newborn babies, may have been exposed to this infectious disease.
The Department of Health and Mental Hygiene has been diligently working to address the situation. So far, they have identified around 700 individuals who may have come in contact with TB at the hospital. This includes 532 patients, with a worrying 238 of them being infants.
St. Barnabas and the health department have taken swift action to contact those at risk. They have reached out to 571 individuals through mail and phone calls. Out of this group, 260 people have been tested for TB, including 138 infants. Thankfully, none of them have developed active TB, although three adults have tested positive for exposure.
It is crucial to understand the dangers of TB. This bacterial infection primarily targets the lungs and can be fatal if not treated properly. The bacteria is easily spread through the air from one person to another. Symptoms of TB infection include coughing, fatigue, loss of appetite, weight loss, and coughing up blood.
The infected employee worked in several critical areas of the hospital, including the neonatal intensive care unit, the well-baby nursery, the maternity ward, and the psychiatric ward. Therefore, anyone who was in these areas between November 1st and January 24th should reach out to St. Barnabas at 718-960-3624.
Please take this situation seriously and ensure you seek medical attention if necessary. Your health and the health of your loved ones must always be a priority.
