A health alert after a part-time postal worker in the Capital Region was recently diagnosed with pulmonary Tuberculosis.
According to Albany County officials, the unidentified postal worker helped out at facilities in Albany, Rensselaer, Schenectady and Saratoga Counties.
The Health Department is conducting an investigation to determine any potential risk for contact with that individual and will work closely with the Postal Service medical staff to contact any potentially exposed individuals and be providing screening tests if necessary.
The Albany County Health Commissioner says “There is no immediate danger to staff," and adds “Tuberculosis exposure is NOT immediately life threatening nor an emergency.”
Exposure to TB bacteria results in illness in only a small number of healthy people. It is not considered to be as highly communicable as some other infectious diseases like the flu or measles.
