Fears of TB outbreak at Mercy hospital

PUBLIC health experts have offered screening to 137 former patients after a staff member at one of Cork’s largest hospitals was diagnosed with tuberculosis.

Management at the Mercy University Hospital (MUH) confirmed last night the staff member had been diagnosed by the hospital’s medical staff on May 26, was treated in the hospital, given medication and discharged.

Citing patient confidentiality, they refused to discuss the individual’s age or sex, or to give details on what area within the hospital the person worked.