200 warned of possible TB exposure at Edmonton outpatient clinics

Alberta Health Services is notifying 200 people who may have been exposed to a confirmed case of tuberculosis at two outpatient clinics in Edmonton.

Notification letters have been mailed to individuals who may have been exposed, AHS said Tuesday in a media statement.

The letters include information on arrangements for standard TB assessment and screening and treatment, if required.

The exposure took place in outpatient clinics at the Kaye Edmonton Clinic, 11400 University Ave., and at the University of Alberta Hospital.

The case is not an ongoing risk in either facility and members of the general public are not considered at risk, AHS said.

The AHS TB services and communicable disease control teams, and the Edmonton zone medical officer of health, are working to manage the follow-up screening that is routine after any potential exposure to a case of active infectious TB.

Tuberculosis infection occurs when TB germs are inhaled into the lungs. In most cases, the germs in the lungs remain inactive and don't cause symptoms of illness.

TB disease is different from TB infection. It occurs when inhaled germs become active. Symptoms may include a phlegm-producing cough that lasts more than three weeks, loss of appetite, loss of weight, tiredness, night sweats, fever and blood in the sputum.

Early diagnosis of TB infection is key to stop development or spread of TB disease.