Aengus Ó Snodaigh (Dublin South Central, Sinn Fein)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 458: To ask the Minister for Health the number of prisons that have had outbreaks of TB in the past year; if his attention has been drawn to the steps that the Irish Prison Service and the Health Service Executive have taken to contain such outbreaks; the number of prisoners that had contracted TB; the cause of each outbreak, if identified; the further steps he will take in conjunction with the Irish Prison Service and the HSE to prevent further outbreaks; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20723/11]

James Reilly (Dublin North, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Steps taken to contain the outbreak involved referring cases to hospital where they were treated until non-infectious and medically fit for discharge. They then returned to the prison and will have follow-up in hospital until treatment is complete. The contact tracing investigation is undertaken by the HSE Public Health TB Team and is still ongoing. A risk assessment was carried out and close contacts were tested for TB exposure by a tuberculin skin test (Mantoux test) followed by chest x-ray where indicated. Contacts with latent TB infection (LTBI) were treated with isonizaid prophylaxis or followed up with chest x-ray as appropriate. Contacts with less significant exposure to the TB cases were given information and advice. Close contacts who have left prison are being followed up at contact tracing clinics or in other prisons, and repeat testing is being arranged where indicated.

To prevent further outbreaks information sessions, formal and informal, have taken place involving both by the prison medicals/nursing staff and the HSE Public Health TB Team. Additional educational material has been made available to the Prison Officers Association for distribution to staff.