HUS reports tuberculosis case at Helsinki Women’s Hospital

Yle reports that Helsinki’s Women’s Hospital has identified a case of tuberculosis, but the risk of transmission is considered very low, according to the Hospital District of Helsinki and Uusimaa, HUS.

Possible exposure is limited to a few babies who received treatment in the ward during the first weeks of August. HUS will contact the families of babies who may have been exposed to explain the situation and assess whether follow-up is needed.

Young children are more likely than adults to develop symptomatic tuberculosis. Parents and visitors who came to the ward are not at risk of infection, and hospital employees are also considered safe.

Families who were at the ward in August but are not contacted by HUS can remain reassured. Their babies were not significantly exposed and no action is required, HUS said.

Tuberculosis is caused by the bacterium Mycobacterium tuberculosis. The likelihood of infection depends particularly on how long and how closely a person has been in contact with someone who has the disease.

In a low-risk case, people considered exposed are generally those living in the same household and children who have spent long periods with the infected person in enclosed spaces, HUS said.