Neonatal JacoplaneCC BY-SA 3.0view terms Jacoplane (well, his parents anyway) - Own work Neonatal intensive-care unit from 1980 Jaap Vermeulen, Jacoplane in a Neonatal intensive care unitSeptember 23, 2014 — The City of El Paso Department of Public Health has determined that more than 700 babies born at Providence Memorial Hospital between September 1, 2013 and August 16, 2014 may have been exposed to a healthcare worker who had tuberculosis.

Unfortunately, babies are more likely than older children and adults to develop life-threatening forms of TB. Everyone who was exposed will need a skin test to check for TB. Patients who develop the disease must take antibiotics for 6-9 months. In recent years, there have been several outbreaks of antibiotic-resistant tuberculosis.

The hospital has provided a list of exposure dates and times (PDF).

After carefully reviewing employment and medical records, the health department determined that 706 patients and 43 employees were exposed. They are providing free post-exposure screening and follow-up care for TB.

The female nursery worker was in close proximity with infants, according to CNN. She is no longer working and is receiving treatment.

Last week, the Texas Department of State Health Services cited the hospital for “deficiencies that represent immediate jeopardy to patient health and safety.” The hospital is also on a termination track for Medicaid and Medicare funding unless policy changes are implemented by October 11.

What is Tuberculosis?

Tuberculosis (TB) is a highly-infectious disease caused by a bacteria that usually attacks the lungs. It spreads when a person with TB coughs, sneezes, or speaks.

Once inside the body, the bacteria usually remains dormant for months or years before growing and causing an active case of TB. If symptoms do appear, they may include severe coughing, chest pain, weakness, weight-loss, no appetite, chills, fever, and sweating at night.

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