DHSS Press Release

DPH INVESTIGATES TUBERCULOSIS AT NURSING HOME

Delaware's Division of Public Health (DPH) is investigating a case of tuberculosis (TB) that occurred in an employee at Gilpin Hall nursing home in Wilmington.

TB is a bacteria that is inhaled into the lungs. The bacteria are released into the air when a TB-infected person coughs or sneezes. People with TB disease are most likely to spread it to people they spend time with every day, such as family members, friends and coworkers. Signs and symptoms of TB include a strong cough that lasts more than two weeks, coughing up blood or sputum, chest pain, weakness or fatigue, weight loss, appetite loss, chills, fever and night sweats.

A skin test is the first step in diagnosing TB. A positive skin test indicates that infection has occurred, even though the person may have no symptoms or be contagious. A chest X-ray helps physicians know if a person with a positive skin test has active disease. If the chest X-ray is suspicious for TB, a sputum test is performed. This is fast but preliminary laboratory evidence that the infected person is exhaling TB bacteria. TB bacteria can be grown in a laboratory by culturing sputum. This provides confirmation of disease but can take two weeks because TB is a slow growing bacteria.

The Gilpin Hall employee was referred to DPH June 2 with a positive skin test and an inconclusive chest X-ray for TB. When the sputum results indicated that the employee did not have active TB disease, the employee was referred to a lung specialist for evaluation.

To be prudent DPH recommended that the employee not work until culture results were available. On June 27, the employee's culture was positive and DPH worked with Gilpin to test their employees and residents. The infected employee's close contacts were also tested. A letter explaining the TB investigation was provided to residents' families July 7. Gilpin has tested 118 residents and adult daycare clients for TB July 10. The employee with TB is receiving treatment and last worked on June 1.

Delaware Health and Social Services is committed to improving the quality of the lives of Delaware's citizens by promoting health and well-being, fostering self-sufficiency, and protecting vulnerable populations.