Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Tuesday, 9 Nov 1999

Vol. 510 No. 3

Written Answers. - Tuberculosis Incidence.

Bernard Allen

Ceist:

247 Mr. Allen asked the Minister for Health and Children if he will make a statement on allegations made in an article (details supplied) dated 29 October 1999 that an outbreak of tuberculosis amongst staff in a district hospital has been linked to a possible lapse in notification and screening protocols; if he will investigate allegations that the hospital staff involved in the treatment of a patient with tuberculosis were not screened for the disease for more than seven months after the diagnosis was confirmed in spite of the fact that staff at a private nursing home, where the patient had previously been cared for, were screened immediately after the patient's tests were found to be tuberculosis positive; and if several hospital staff members were found to be tuberculosis positive following screening in May 1999 and a number seriously ill. [22252/99]

Minister for Health and Children (Mr. Cowen)

I have received a report from the health board concerned. This indicates that, based on the initial notification in October 1997, the index case of tuberculosis was considered to be non-infectious. As the patient had been in a nursing home prior to his hospital admission, the health board considered it prudent to screen the staff and patients in the nursing home to identify possible sources of infection. This screening proved to be negative and the board considered that no further action was necessary at the time.

In February 1998 a staff member at the hospital concerned was notified as having been diagnosed with tuberculosis. At that time the health board carried out a review and the patient already referred to was considered to be a probable source of infection. Further screening of contacts was then undertaken in the hospital. This screening included many patients, health care workers and ancillary staff. The health board has indicated that no other case of tuberculosis was identified following this screening and that there was no outbreak of tuberculosis among staff in the hospital.