A tuberculosis patient was hospitalized in Sheba – 750 patients and 1900 workers were exposed

According to the data of the Ministry of Health and the hospital, approximately 750 patients were located who stayed in the compound during the patient’s hospitalization days, of which approximately 300 were newborns and infants up to one year of age. This also includes immunosuppressed patients who are considered a particularly high risk group. Along with this, about 1,900 medical staff members were exposed, as well as an unknown number of attendants and visitors who stayed there for extended periods of time.

Tuberculosis is an infectious disease caused by a bacterium transmitted through the air when a patient with active pulmonary tuberculosis coughs or sneezes. The risk of infection increases as the duration of exposure increases, especially when it comes to staying for more than 6 to 8 hours in a closed environment. On the other hand, with short contact the risk of infection is very low.

In accordance with the guidelines of the Ministry of Health, all those exposed are expected to receive an orderly application for a medical examination, which includes a Mento-type skin test. This test is designed to detect exposure to the tuberculosis bacterium even in cases where no active disease has developed. When a positive result is obtained, preventive antibiotic treatment is given for several months, which significantly reduces the risk of disease outbreak.

Sensitive populations, including infants and toddlers up to the age of 3, as well as immunosuppressed patients, began preventive antibiotic treatment for a period of four months, even without performing a Mento test, due to the high risk of developing an active disease in these populations.

At the same time, the Ministry of Health issued an instruction to the public according to which visitors who stayed in the underground hospital complex in Sheba for more than 8 hours cumulatively during the dates March 17 to 22, are asked to contact the Voice of Health hotline at *5400 for instructions and further inquiries.

The Ministry of Health states that with early detection and preventive treatment, the development of the disease can be prevented in most cases, and that the monitoring of the event continues.