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TB exposure in California maternity ward puts 350 newborns at risk

A nurse with active tuberculosis may have exposed 350 infants to the infectious disease at Santa Clara Valley Medical Center in San Jose, California, prompting hospital officials to issue a warning that visitors may be at risk for TB infection, according to a news release.

“We are committed to the safety of our patients and staff,” Stephen J. Harris, MD, chair of the department of pediatrics at the center, said in the release. “While the risk of infection is low, the consequences of a tuberculosis infection in infants can be severe. That’s why we decided to do widespread testing and start preventive treatments for these infants as soon as possible.”

According to the release, a nurse in the hospital’s mother and infant care center was diagnosed with active TB in mid-November during evaluation for an unrelated condition. Hospital administration immediately placed the nurse on leave and enacted infection control measures, the release said. The infected nurse previously had tested negative for active TB during her annual screening in September.

The center has alerted all mothers admitted to the hospital’s maternity ward between mid-August and mid-November. The hospital is providing diagnostic testing, monitoring and preventive treatments of isoniazid to all affected infants. Exposed mothers and employees, reported to be approximately 700 individuals, also will be screened and monitored for signs of active TB.

“This incident is an unfortunate reminder that TB remains an ongoing health concern for our community,” Sara H. Cody, MD, health officer of the public health department of Santa Clara County, said in the press release. “The public health department is working closely with our Santa Clara Valley Medical Center colleagues to support their efforts in addressing the needs of their patients and staff.”