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Jul 20, 2009

UCLA notifies 730 individuals about possible contact with student with TB

The university is notifying approximately 730 students, staff and faculty that they need to be tested for tuberculosis because they may have come in contact with a UCLA student who was recently hospitalized with infectious TB.

stethoscope.Susan Quillan, director of clinical services at the Arthur Ashe Student Health and Wellness Center, was notified last week by the County of Los Angeles Public Health Department about the student's diagnosis. The student attended UCLA during the winter, spring and summer, she said.

The Ashe Center is notifying approximately 700 students who may have had contact with the student with TB and asking them to get a TB skin test either at the Ashe Center or their private medical provider. Students who are eligible at the Ashe Center will receive the skin test and any medication deemed necessary at no cost. Appointments can be made, and a nurse is available for advice at (310) 825-4073.

"We are reassigning staff to help assist students to make sure they get all their questions asked and the screening done," said Quillan. "Right now, we have enough staff to handle this."

UCLA's Office of Environment, Health and Safety Department is contacting about 30 staff and faculty, who are being advised to get a skin test at the UCLA Occupational Health Facility or at their private doctor's office. To reach the facility, call (310) 825-6771.

Students, faculty or staff who were notified and are away from the Los Angeles area are being asked to contact a local public health department's TB control clinic to arrange for evaluation, including skin testing. The Ashe Center is requesting that the results of students' TB tests be faxed to staff there at (310) 206-2747. This information will be kept confidential.

Quillan said those who have been notified of a possible contact do not need to take any precautions before they get tested. "If they are sick, then, of course, they should see their medical provider," she said. The symptoms to watch for are fever, coughing, night sweats and weight loss.

To learn more facts about TB, see this fact sheet.