5 babies test positive for tuberculosis; 96 more babies added to TB testing list

This weekend, the number of families affected by the possibility of tuberculosis (TB) exposure at Providence Memorial Hospital grew yet again.

Niney-six babies were added to the previous list of 762 who were possibly exposed to a Providence hospital worker with active TB.

El Paso Department of Public Health officials say the 96 were added to the list based on new state and federal recommendations and “out of an abundance of caution.”

The Health Dept. officials said these additional babies were included because they were transitioned before the healthcare worker’s shift The number of babies being screened has been increased by 96 babies, which includes the babies that were born before the healthcare worker’s shift but were transitioned out of the nursery during the worker’s shift.

Out of more than 200 that were screened the first week, five babies tested positive for latent TB.

They are not considered sick or contagious.

“They are not sick, they are not contagious and we are offering them medication that is highly effective in preventing the development of active tuberculosis,” Sierra Providence Chief Medical Officer Enrique Martinez said.

City health officials said four are likely false positives because they received a BCG vaccine meant to prevent TB.

“That leaves us with one case that did not receive the BCG. We’re following up with the family and offering treatment,” Public Health Director Robert Resendes said.

More than 200 screenings were completed in the first week of testing since parents were notified. Resendes said he wants to get the babies tested as quickly as possible.

Any parents with questions are urged to call 211.