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SOUTH DAKOTA DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Tuesday, February 23, 2010
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Tuesday, February 23, 2010
TB cases reported in Charles Mix County
PIERRE, S.D. – Two cases of tuberculosis (TB) have been reported in Charles Mix County in 2010 according to the state Department of Health and local health officials. Tuberculosis is an airborne disease that requires close, extended contact with an infectious individual for transmission and is not easily spread. Symptoms of tuberculosis include a cough, fever, night sweats and/or weight loss.
The South Dakota Department of Health, Wagner Indian Health Service, Bubak Medical Clinic, Wagner Community Clinic, Prairie Health Clinic, Wagner Community Hospital-Avera, Douglas County Memorial Hospital, and Yankton Sioux Tribal Health Department are identifying close contacts of the cases so they can be medically evaluated and started on preventive treatment. If you believe you have tuberculosis or you have been exposed, please contact your local health provider for recommendations.
A positive TB skin test means that an individual has been exposed to TB and the bacteria are in his or her body. It does NOT mean the person has tuberculosis disease. If a skin test is positive, preventive medication can prevent TB disease from developing.
In 2009 there were 18 cases of tuberculosis reported in the entire state of South Dakota, including three in Charles Mix County. Find more information about TB on the department’s web site, http://doh.sd.gov/TB or call the following persons:
| Wagner IHS Healthcare Facility (384-3621) Dr. Rosa Huguet, Infection Control Director Barb Slaba RN, Infection Control Nurse Judy Cuka, RN Director of Public Health Nursing Prairie Health Clinic, Wagner (384-4577) Jeff Konstanz PA –C Ron Kahler RN Avera St. Benedict Health Clinic, Lake Andes (487-7878) Beth Schroeder PA-C Bubak Medical Clinic (384-5457) Nancy Bubak, RN | Wagner Community Memorial Hospital – Avera (384-3611) Terri Faatz RN, Infection Control Nurse Tammy Johannsen RN Yankton Sioux Tribe (384-3641) Clarence Montgomery, Health Director ext. 221 Richard Sully, Health Educator ext. 219 South Dakota Department of Health (773-3737) Bonnie Jameson, Disease Prevention Director |