Active TB case confirmed at Alderwood Mall store
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Story Published: Mar 13, 2008 at 5:02 PM PDT

Story Updated: Mar 13, 2008 at 10:28 PM PDT
By KOMO Staff
LYNNWOOD - The Snohomish Health District is investigating a case of active tuberculosis in a Nordstrom employee who worked at the Alderwood Mall.

The individual is in isolation, and currently is under treatment in another state. Health officials say there is no ongoing risk to customers or employees.

Tuberculosis is a lung infection that can be spread to other people when they are in close, frequent contact with a sick person for a long period of time. Each year there are about 25 cases of active TB in Snohomish County, officials said.

"TB is very hard to catch. The good news is that it is preventable, treatable, and curable," explained Dr. Gary Goldbaum, health officer and director of the Snohomish Health District, the local public health agency for Snohomish County.

"We don't have counters in our stores so we don't really have a way of knowing how many people," said Nordstrom spokesperson Brooke White. "TB can't be contracted from hard surfaces so it's not on a doorknob, counter or shoe box or anything like that."

When a case of TB is reported to Public Health, a contact investigation is conducted to find out if others have been infected. Public Health staff will identify those at highest risk of getting TB from the case, and test them for infection.

Because the infection may take up to 10 weeks to show up on testing, two tests administered 8 to 10 weeks apart may be required. Nordstrom and Public Health are working together to identify the close contacts of the case, and will give them initial skin tests.

"The testing is key to our investigation and can help prevent the spread of the infection," said Dr. Goldbaum.

Skin tests and chest X-rays are provided to contacts. If an individual is determined to be infected with tuberculosis, that person will be encouraged to begin preventive treatment for tuberculosis.

Symptoms of active TB include cough with thick, cloudy mucous fore more than two weeks, fever, chilly night sweats, fatigue, weakness, loss of appetite, shortness of breath and chest pain.

"This will be a very careful and thorough investigation," said Goldbaum.

Nordstrom employees and customers who have questions may speak with a public health nurse from the TB Control Program by calling (425) 339-5225 between 9 a.m. and 4 p.m. Monday to Friday.


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