Possible Tuberculosis Exposures In Manchester Homeless Community

MANCHESTER, NH — The New Hampshire Metropolitan Medical Reserve System (MMRS) Task Force 1 has set up at a homeless warming shelter on Union Street in Manchester to provide testing for Tuberculosis (TB) to members of the homeless community.

Sources have confirmed that at least one person from the homeless community recently tested positive for TB.

Tuberculosis germs spread through the air from one person to another, according to the CDC. TB germs can get into the air when someone with active TB disease coughs, speaks, or sings. People nearby may breathe in these germs and become infected.

Common symptoms of active TB disease include cough, pain in the chest, and coughing up blood or sputum (phlegm).

MMRS is a statewide response unit consisting of licensed paramedics, EMTs, firefighters, and medical personnel. It was developed and funded by the US Department of Homeland Security. According to the State of NH website, this team increases the State's emergency management and emergency medical response capability and is designed to be versatile and able to respond effectively to a variety of scenarios.

Jake Leon, the director of communications with the New Hampshire Department of Health and Human Services, confirmed one adult had been diagnosed with TB. That adult, he said, did spend time at a homeless shelter in the Queen City, interacting with a community organization there infectious.

“The individual is receiving treatment and is no longer in the shelter or community organization environments,” he said.

On average, Leon said, there are a dozen people who contract TB in the Granite State and a disease investigation is performed for each one. The department works to identify people exposed, notifying them of possible exposure, and testing and treatment.

“This investigation is ongoing and there is currently low risk to people in the greater Manchester community,” he said.

As part of the identification and outreach process, the department and city organized informational and testing events in the community to “ensure those who may have been exposed have access to the information and care necessary to prevent sickness and the spread of TB,” Leon said. The health and well-being of Granite Staters is “our priority, and we will continue to make available information about this necessary investigation to protect the public’s health,” he added.

As updated information becomes available, Patch will provide new information.