Public Health deals with tuberculosis surge

by Mindy Aguon

Guam - While tuberculosis rates fell to an all-time low in the United States last year, unfortunately it's not the case on Guam. The number of active TB cases reported this year to date is on the rise.

TB Program Manager Cecilia Arciaga says the agency is still compiling specific numbers after an outbreak of cases was reported at Okkodo High School in Dededo. Public Health is also conducting a second round of testing at Maria Ulloa Elementary School. As for the case of an employee at the Guam Memorial Hospital who tested positive for active TB, Arciaga confirms the hospital is working to ensure those who co-workers who had close contact with the individual are tested themselves. 

Public Health is working to monitor those patients who had contact with the employee, saying, "Right now, we're actually refining the listing that was received by us from GMH and work on that."

Arciaga couldn't release the number of patients who came into contact with the employee who was assigned to the Labor and Delivery, Nursery Unit and the Operating Room.  As we reported that individual is on leave until the employee receives a medical clearance to return to work.