Alberta Health Services mailed notification letters Tuesday to people who may have been exposed to a confirmed case of tuberculosis at two outpatient clinics in Edmonton.
Officials said the facilities involved are the Kaye Edmonton Clinic and the University of Alberta Hospital.
“This case is not an ongoing risk in either healthcare facility,” AHS said in a statement. “General public are also not considered at risk.”
Only people being contacted directly by AHS are considered “exposed” in this case. While the general public is not considered to be at risk, AHS made its follow-up actions public “as a matter of transparency.”
Notification letters include information on how individuals can set up standard TB assessment, screening and treatment, if required.
TB infection is caused by a bacterium called Mycobaterium tuberculosis. The infection happens when TB germs are inhaled into the lungs and those germs become active. Symptoms include a cough producing phlegm lasting more than three weeks, loss of appetite, weight loss, fatigue, night sweats, fever and blood in spit.
TB is treated with a combination of medications taken regularly for six to nine months.
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