October 23, 2006

Tuberculosis skin testing will be canceled at the Immunization Clinic at the Thunder Bay District Health Unit on October 25, 2006 due to the unavailability of the testing solution.

The test is done for people who:

• have been in contact with a person who has tuberculosis
• are going to live in a Long Term Care Facility
• are starting to work in a Health Care Facility or a day care
• are required by their employer  to have pre-employment or annual testing
• are students doing placements at facilities where the test is required
• have traveled or will be traveling to certain countries

At this time of the year an average of 400 TB skin tests are done monthly. The tests are administered on Wednesdays and read on Fridays.  New supplies of tuberculin skin testing solution are expected to arrive at the end of the week. 

Tuberculosis (TB) is a disease caused by bacteria that usually affects the lungs. It can also spread to other parts of the body like the bones, joints, gut and urinary systems.  A century ago, it was the second highest cause of death in Canadians. 

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