New case of open pulmonary tuberculosis
Patient is a resident of the community centre for refugees in Einsiedel
The Office for Health and Prevention of the City of Chemnitz informs about a case of open pulmonary tuberculosis in a community centre for refugees in Einsiedel. The affected patient comes from Ukraine and is being treated as an inpatient. She arrived in Germany in April and was registered and accommodated in Leipzig in mid-May. She has been living in Chemnitz since 23 May 2023 and was already in isolation during her stay in the accommodation in Einsiedel due to a severe cough.
The environmental investigation with contact tracing has started, the doctors from the public health department have interviewed the patient in hospital. Two people have been categorised as close contacts who have already been transferred to another district. The local health authority was informed so that a timely environmental investigation could be carried out. Timely means that an infection (see keyword) can only be detected or ruled out approximately eight to twelve weeks after the last contact.
In addition, the patient was hospitalised for treatment in April. The responsible health authority was also informed so that further investigations could be initiated. There will be an information event for the staff of the community centre in Einsiedel.
This is the sixth case of open tuberculosis in Chemnitz this year.
Keyword tuberculosis:
According to the Infection Protection Act, tuberculosis - a bacterial infectious disease - is a notifiable disease. If an illness or death from tuberculosis requiring treatment is detected in Germany, it is reported to the responsible health authority. The health authority investigates the case and assesses the extent to which there was a risk of infection for other people. Subsequently, contact persons are identified and contacted by the employees of the public health department and, if necessary, tested for tuberculosis. If the blood test is positive, further tests are ordered.
Tuberculosis is one of the most widespread infectious diseases in the world. According to estimates by the World Health Organisation, around ten million people contract tuberculosis every year. Germany is one of the countries with a low incidence rate. An infection only leads to illness in around ten per cent of cases over the course of a lifetime. An infection is not yet contagious; infection is only possible with the onset of tuberculosis. An infection usually requires several hours of spending time together in closed rooms. Tuberculosis can only be detected or ruled out eight to twelve weeks after contact. A total of 32 cases of tuberculosis were reported in Chemnitz last year, with six children affected.