TB testing clinics are planned in Pueblo and El Paso Counties, following the death of a CSU Pueblo student at Memorial Hospital in Colorado Springs.

The following information comes from a news release sent out Thursday afternoon:

The El Paso County Department of Health and Environment and the Pueblo City-County Health Department plan tuberculosis (TB) skin testing clinics in both El Paso and Pueblo counties.

TB testing involves a two-step process.

The first clinic on Tuesday, June 19, is to administer the TB skin test, and the second clinic on Thursday, June 21, is when individuals will receive their reading/results.

Public health officials are working collaboratively to provide these clinics for the people identified as needing tuberculosis skin tests.

Individuals with significant exposure include:

·Individuals who have been identified as having had close, prolonged and/or repeated contact with the CSU student who died of tuberculosis on June 8, 2007.

·Individuals who have been identified as having attended classes with the student during the 2007 spring semester.

TB skin testing is used to diagnose TB infection.

Medical professionals inject a fluid called tuberculin just under the skin on the lower part of the arm.

Those undergoing this test must follow up with the El Paso County or Pueblo City-County Health Departments within 48-72 hours to see if a specific skin reaction develops where the test was placed.

Individuals who have positive skin tests may need additional testing, such as a chest X-ray, to confirm what kind of TB infection they have.

Individuals who have not had significant exposure to the TB patient do not need to be tested at this time, according to public health experts.

“Tuberculosis is not an easy disease to catch,” said Dr. Bernadette Albanese, M.D., Medical Director of the El Paso County Department of Health and Environment.

“It takes close, prolonged contact with someone who has active tuberculosis to be at significant risk for getting TB.”

“It saddens me that this student died and my sympathy goes out to the family, as this is a treatable disease,” said Dr. Christine Nevin-Woods, D.O., Executive Director of the Pueblo City-County Health Department.

“It is vitally important that these clinics be attended by those people identified by public health officials as needing these tests.

If other residents believe they need testing, we need them to call us for assessment.”

Health Department TB Contact Information:

El Paso County Department of Health and Environment
(719) 578-3199

Pueblo City-County Health Department
(719) 583-9901

TB Testing Clinic Details:

El Paso County (Colorado Springs)

5-7 p.m. Tuesday, June 19

Location: El Paso County Department of Health and Environment

301 S. Union Blvd.

Colorado Springs, CO 80910

Those tested will be asked to return between 5 and 7 p.m. Thursday, June 21, to receive results. Results can’t be determined without this second visit.

AND

Pueblo County (City of Pueblo)

9:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m. June 19, 2007

Praise Assembly Church (Enter church parking lot off of Oakshire Street)

2000 Troy Avenue

Pueblo, CO 81001

Those tested will be asked to return between 9:30 a.m. and 3:30 p.m. Thursday, June 21, to receive results. Results can’t be determined without this second visit.