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One case of tuberculosis confirmed in St. Lawrence County; many to be tested, Public Health Department confirms

Posted 6/2/15

By CRAIG FREILICH CANTON -- A case of tuberculosis has turned up in St. Lawrence County, the county Public Health Department has confirmed. The department’s Director of Prevention Services Laurie …

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One case of tuberculosis confirmed in St. Lawrence County; many to be tested, Public Health Department confirms

Posted

By CRAIG FREILICH

CANTON -- A case of tuberculosis has turned up in St. Lawrence County, the county Public Health Department has confirmed.

The department’s Director of Prevention Services Laurie Maki said the county and the New York State Department of Health “are responding to the situation. A contact investigation is underway and those identified as being at risk are being contacted and offered testing.”

Tim Welpe of the Potsdam Elks Club confirmed earlier today that the county health department told the club that a person who has had contact with many club members has the disease, which mainly attacks the lungs.

Welpe said the department is contacting members, staff and others by telephone to set up tests for those believed to have been exposed.

Welpe said he is concerned about the confidentiality of members being preserved, and that they are getting the information they need.

Maki said she is constrained from answering some questions, such as the number of people on the list to be contacted, due to confidentiality issues.

“We need to protect all those involved. The investigation is ongoing following CDC and NYSDOH guidance. Be assured we will contact those that have been identified at risk,” Maki said.

“Human nature is to be curious and want to know all the details but we also need to protect the confidentiality of individuals and during the active investigation” this information cannot be shared, she said.

Tuberculosis, or TB, is a bacterial disease usually affecting the lungs (pulmonary TB).

It is spread through the air when a person with untreated pulmonary TB coughs or sneezes, Maki said. Prolonged exposure to a person with untreated TB usually is necessary for infection to occur.

Maki points out that TB is not spread by shaking someone's hand, sharing food or drink, touching bed linens or toilet seats, sharing toothbrushes or kissing.

In order to spread TB germs, a person must have the disease, and won’t simply be carrying the pathogen from someone else, Maki said.

More information on TB is available at the Centers for Disease Control website at http://www.cdc.gov/tb/.

Anyone with concerns or questions may contact the St. Lawrence County Public Health Department at 386-2325.