Politics & Government

Solano Health Officials Work With Local Hospitals On TB Case

A unidentified Solano County resident is being treated for tuberculosis.

Information from Solano County:

Sacramento and Solano County public health agencies are working with NorthBay Medical Center in Fairfield and Sutter Medical Center, Sacramento to investigate potential exposures to an individual with active tuberculosis (TB) who spent time in both facilities. 

The Solano County resident is currently isolated and receiving treatment to prevent the spread of TB.

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Health officials are working with both medical centers, in consultation with California Department of Public Health, to assess patients, visitors, and staff to determine who may have been exposed to the TB germ. 

There were periods of exposure in the Sacramento neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) from March 14-March 31 and the Solano NICU from March 31 to April 2 and from April 11 to April 19 of 2012.  Parents of exposed babies will be contacted within 24 hours, while others potentially exposed will be contacted within the next few days.  

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In accordance with State and Federal laws that protect patient confidentiality, no specific information about the individual with active TB will be released.

“From the medical evidence we have reviewed so far, we believe that the risk of infection with TB in this particular case is low,” said Michael Stacey, MD, Chief Medical Officer for Solano County.  “We will take the necessary measures to ensure that all those with significant levels of exposure are tested and, if necessary, treated with antibiotics.”

Contact investigations, like this one currently under way, are an important step in stopping the spread of TB. Patients, visitors or staff determined to have TB infection will be given medication to prevent progression to TB disease

“Although it may be a new experience for the patients, visitors and staff to the NICU, contact investigations are a regular activity for Solano Public Health and Sacramento County Public Health TB Program staff, who receive new active TB disease cases regularly each month. TB is preventable and curable,” said Olivia Kasirye, MD, MS, Health Officer for Sacramento County.

For general TB information, visit www.cdc.gov/tb/. During business hours, Solano County residents with questions can call Solano Public Health at 707-784-8600.  Sacramento County residents can contact Sacramento County Public Health at 916-875-5881.


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