As a precautionary measure it was decided to screen frontline staff at HH following confirmed tuberculosis infections among staff at the emergency department of the Landspítali hospital. Screening first took place at locations where staff were considered likely to have been in contact with individuals who may have been infected with tuberculosis.

It was subsequently confirmed that two employees at the Heilsugæslan Miðbæ have a tuberculosis infection. Infection means that the bacterium was detected in the employees’ blood. They have no symptoms and are not contagious. The two employees will now undergo further testing followed by a consultation and possible treatment with an infectious disease specialist.

Standing behind our staff

“This is, of course, a difficult situation for these employees, their families, and their colleagues, and our thoughts are first and foremost with them,” says Sigríður Dóra Magnúsdóttir, Director General of HH. “We have spoken with both employees and their colleagues and have made it clear that the management of the organization stands firmly behind them. The safety of our staff is always our top priority in all our operations.”

Tuberculosis spreads through prolonged or close contact with a person who has active, contagious pulmonary tuberculosis. Tuberculosis is not transmitted through touch, from surfaces, or by using utensils or clothing that an infected person has used.

Screening offered to all frontline staff

Screening of frontline staff at HH will continue at full pace. Prioritization will remain in place so that staff assessed to be at higher risk are screened as soon as possible, but the goal is to offer tuberculosis testing to all frontline staff who wish to be tested.

It is important to note that even if the tuberculosis bacterium is detected in a blood sample, this does not mean that the individual has active tuberculosis.

• When a person is exposed to infection, there is a high likelihood that the body’s immune system will eliminate the bacterium.

• If that does not occur, the bacterium may remain in the body for a long time without causing any effects and without the individual being able to infect others.

• If the bacterium is present and the person’s immune system becomes weakened for any reason, the bacterium may cause active and contagious pulmonary tuberculosis.

Treatment of individuals with tuberculosis infection

There are two types of treatment, depending on the situation:

• An individual who has the bacterium detected in the blood but does not have active disease is treated with medication, which may last up to six months. The individual generally remains in good health during treatment, although it may cause some side effects.

• An individual with active tuberculosis disease is treated with medication for at least six months. The individual is generally no longer contagious after two weeks of treatment.