Suspected cases of tuberculosis have been confirmed
Supplementary information on press release no. 76 and the press conference on 9 February
In connection with the nursing student from Chemnitz who contracted pulmonary tuberculosis, the two other suspected cases that the Office for Health and Prevention had already admitted to hospital for diagnosis at the end of January have been confirmed.
Further examinations of these two patients, who are also nursing students, have revealed pulmonary tuberculosis, which is being treated. So far, there are no findings in these two cases that would suggest that they are contagious.
This means that a total of four cases of pulmonary tuberculosis have been confirmed in Chemnitz.
The number of contact persons identified so far is around 170, of which around 150 are in Chemnitz. Two care classes and two care homes in Chemnitz are affected by the infection. The number of infections detected in Chemnitz is 28, 21 of which are attributable to nursing students. The Office for Health and Prevention remains in contact with the nursing school and the nursing homes affected. The health authorities of other municipalities have also been informed where necessary.
In addition to the examinations, which were supplemented by further diagnostics if infections were detected and abnormal findings were made, and which were repeated in a timely manner if the findings were borderline or previously unremarkable. In certain cases, a temporary ban on entering care facilities was imposed or employees or trainees were required to temporarily wear an FFP2 mask at work.
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 a disease in about ten per cent of cases over the course of a lifetime.
For further information see press release no. 76