Patients at a Scottsdale Hospital May Have Been Exposed to Tuberculosis

An undisclosed number of patients in a Scottsdale hospital may have been exposed to tuberculosis, a life-threatening illness.

Officials at the HonorHealth Scottsdale Shea Medical Center pointed out that the diagnosis of tuberculosis had not been confirmed, but that "all patients at risk" had been informed of the possible exposure so that they could benefit from preventive treatment.

Once diagnosed, public health officials announced that they would contact people at risk to inform them of the results.

"What we can say is that someone who has a disease that could be TB was part of the HonorHealth Scottsdale Shea Medical Center and we are working closely with HonorHealth to identify those at risk." "said Dr. Rebecca Sunenshine, doctor. Director of Disease Control for the Maricopa County Public Health Department.

Public health workers call at-risk patients to make sure they have tests, a full assessment of TB and preventive treatment if needed, Sunenshine said. .

Neither Sunenshine nor HonorHealth would disclose the number of patients who have been informed, nor any additional information about who may be suffering from TB.

"The investigation is ongoing, so we are not comfortable disclosing the number of patients," Sunenshine said. "As we discover additional information, this number may change."

Tuberculosis bacteria usually attack the lungs, but can attack any part of the body, including the kidneys, spine and brain, says the US Center for Disease Control and Prevention. Tuberculosis is also one of the leading causes of death among people living with HIV.

"Whenever active TB is identified, public health is involved and we make sure that this person is treated at once so that he can heal and not infect others," said Sunenshine.

Most of the cases of tuberculosis that occur in Maricopa County involve people exposed outside the United States, said Sunenshine. If people are exposed to a person with TB, there is little chance that they will be infected, she added.

If people contract the infection, they will usually have a form of the disease called "latent TB," which means that they are not infectious and have no symptoms, she said. These patients can develop tuberculosis if they do not receive treatment, which explains the importance of the tests and the intervention.

"In the event that a patient is infected with TB, it is important to know that it is highly treatable," says a statement from HonorHealth.

County Public Health Officers provided information to people at risk and options for screening and access to preventive treatment, if deemed appropriate, says Maricopa County Public Health Department .

"People who have spent time at this facility and who have not heard from MCHPD have not been found to be at risk of this exposure," the statement said. "MCHPD does not recommend that they be tested for tuberculosis."

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