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From the Environmental Health Coalition

(April 09,07 ) Families, Staff Who Were in Close Contact with Patient are Being Notified, Tested
The San Diego Health and Human Services Agency (HHSA), working in collaboration with
Palomar Pomerado Health, is notifying and testing approximately 25 families who visited the Palomar Medical Center Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) between March 10 and April 5, after a woman who gave birth there was diagnosed with a less infectious form of tuberculosis (TB). At this point based on preliminary tests, there is no evidence of TB in her lung secretions. The woman’s baby is being treated for TB.

The possible exposure took place between March 10 and April 5, in the NICU, which is an
isolated area of the hospital. Visitors and staff who were there for eight-hour periods during this time may have been exposed. Hospital officials have identified visitors and hospital staff who may have had contact with the patient.

“There is a minimal chance anyone in the NICU may have become infected by this patient.
However, we are not taking any chances, and will aggressively notify our visitors and staff, casting a wide net to ensure everyone is aware of the situation,” says Nabil Fatayeriji, M.D., Neonatologist for Palomar Medical Center. “Our goal is to have a dialogue with every individual who may have been potentially exposed.”

The mother and baby are being treated and neither is infectious at this time. Approximately
150 medical staff have been notified and some will be screened for TB. More than half of the 25 families in the NICU between March 10 and April 5 have already been alerted to the situation.

“We are working with the hospital, which is notifying the families of other infants in the NICU,
and hospital staff, that may have been exposed,” said Wilma Wooten, M.D., Interim San Diego
County Public Health Officer. “It is unlikely that any of the other infants, or visitors, will contract TB.”

Anyone who was in the NICU between March 10 and April 5 may call Palomar Medical Center
at (760) 739-3430. Individuals with no medical provider may call the County TB Program at (619)
692-8621.

Most people who are exposed to TB do not develop the disease. Tuberculosis is not
uncommon in the San Diego region. During 2006, there were 315 total cases of TB in San Diego
County.

More about Tuberculosis X