Medical Officer of Health, Dr. Nicola Mercer has declared a tuberculosis (TB) outbreak at the Royal Terrace long-term care and residential facility over.
Four cases of active TB disease were identified during the six month investigation.
“Royal Terrace is once again open for patient admissions and transfers,” said Janice Walters, manager of the control of infectious disease of the Palmerston seniors’ home.
“We are appreciative of their cooperation as well as that of the Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care in our investigation. Ongoing vigilance and support of our testing and education efforts has limited the potential exposure to residents, staff, and visitors of the facility.”
Walters said, “Screening for the disease is a comprehensive process. Signs and symptoms of the disease in the elderly can be difficult to diagnose. However, it is a curable disease once it is identified.”
Anyone with an active or suspected case of TB was removed from the facility and is receiving treatment. All staff and residents with positive skin test results were seen by a doctor, offered treatment, and will be followed closely over the next two years for signs and symptoms of active disease.
People who have had a lot of contact with the TB germ can develop a positive TB skin test.
A positive TB skin test does not mean people are contagious. In some people, the germ becomes active and they can develop TB disease.
Children younger than five years of age, the elderly, the immune-compromised, or those with poor general health are at highest risk, as they have less ability to fight infection.
