Las Vegas Sun

March 29, 2024

Health:

Health District investigating potential tuberculosis exposure at hospital

Updated Monday, Oct. 7, 2013 | 2:26 p.m.

The Southern Nevada Health District is investigating a potential tuberculosis exposure within Summerlin Hospital’s Neonatal Intensive Care Unit over the summer.

While no babies had come in contact with a TB patient, some hospital staff members within the NICU have become infected with the disease, health district officials said. As a result, health district officials are recommending TB testing for babies who had been in Level III NICU care between May 11 and Aug. 8 and their parents.

TB germs are transmitted through the air when a person with the disease talks, coughs or sneezes. The risk of infection for a baby exposed to a person with an active disease is small, officials said.

Health district officials set up a private clinic to provide testing for both the babies and parents.

Members of the public who would like additional information about tuberculosis or the investigation can call the health district’s helpline at 702-759-4636.

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