Tuberculosis outbreak in an immigrant reception center in Israel: A clinical and epidemiologic perspective

Hashem Bishara, Moshe Lidji, Drora Goldblatt, Efrat Rorman, Zohar Mor, Daniel Weiler-Ravell

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

Abstract

Tuberculosis (TB) outbreaks in congregate settings pose a public health concern and a clinical challenge. We report a TB outbreak involving 6 cases of active TB among 28 recent Ethiopian immigrants (EIs) in an immigrant reception center in Israel. The outbreak erupted several weeks after a meticulous pre-immigration TB screening of this group. All five culture-positive TB patients were infected with the CAS1-DELHI family, SIT 25 strain. Pulmonary involvement manifested as only a persistent cough without systemic symptoms. This outbreak occurred because of miscommunication among healthcare staff and between healthcare staff and the EI index case. It was fuelled by the staff ignorance of the social bonds within the group, and the sluggish once-monthly schedule of the on-site TB clinic operated at the reception center, which further lacked radiography facilities. This outbreak highlights the challenges of screening for active TB among immigrants and hard to reach groups.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)906-910
Number of pages5
JournalScandinavian Journal of Infectious Diseases
Volume46
Issue number12
DOIs
StatePublished - 1 Dec 2014
Externally publishedYes

Bibliographical note

Publisher Copyright:
© 2014 Informa Healthcare.

Keywords

  • Immigration
  • Public health
  • Screening
  • Tuberculosis

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • General Immunology and Microbiology
  • Microbiology (medical)
  • Infectious Diseases

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Tuberculosis outbreak in an immigrant reception center in Israel: A clinical and epidemiologic perspective'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this