McGuire Veteran’s Hospital is afraid of an outbreak of tuberculosis among the patients and staff after exposure to an infected patient.
In April, a veteran was hospitalized there and after he was discharged, was then diagnosed with tuberculosis.
The hospital plans to send about 500 letters to patients and staff who may have been in the hospital and could have come into contact with the infected patient during his stay.
The Richmond Health Department is assisting in the investigation, saying that tuberculosis isn’t entirely uncommon. In the city alone, the department investigates anywhere from 10-20 cases of the disease each year.
