HSE probe as shopping centre worker contracts TB

AN EMPLOYEE at the Douglas Court Shopping Centre is being treated for TB and the HSE is examining people who have had direct contact with them in case they have also contracted it.

While the HSE wouldn’t say where the person worked, it did confirm yesterday that it had received notification of a fresh TB case from its public health department.

An HSE statement said: “The person with TB is under specialist medical care. Contact tracing has started and screening is in accordance with national guidelines.”

For the decade up to 2004 the HSE South (Cork-Kerry) region experienced a general downward trend in TB cases, in line with overall national trends. In that period there was a 32% drop in notified cases in the region, apart from a blip in 2003.

However, over the last two years, there has been a rise in TB in the two counties, with 100 cases notified in 2006 and 112 cases last year.

The unprecedented crèche-related TB outbreak in Cork last year alone accounted for 21 of those cases.

Meanwhile, the HSE has restricted visiting times at CUH and the adjoining maternity hospital due to an outbreak of the winter vomiting bug, also known as the norovirus.

Visiting times are being restricted to 6.30pm – 7.30pm and only one visitor is allowed per patient. The HSE added that strictly no children will be allowed visit.

A HSE spokesman said visitors are advised they must use the Spirigel (alcohol gel) supplied as they enter and leave the hospital.

CUH general manager, Tony McNamara, appealed to people to refrain from visiting the hospital, or any healthcare facility, if they have been affected by the vomiting bug or have been in contact with anyone who has symptoms of vomiting and diarrhoea in the last 72 hours.

People are also advised not to attend A&E departments if they have the symptoms.

Special arrangements for visitors of critically-ill patients can be made by contacting 021 4546400.