Bullshit website, States Times Review posted an article on 4 Dec 2015 claims that there has been a "Tuberculous disease outbreak" in NUH.
First of all, there is NO Outbreak of an disease of any kind. MOH has not declared to be so. (At least as of 4 Dec 2015)
WHO defines a Disease Outbreak as "...the occurrence of cases of disease in excess of what would normally be expected in a defined community, geographical area or season."
Right now, none of the affected children, pending the test results, have been declared as infected by the nurse who was diagnosed with TB.
Even the clinical staff who are from the affected ward have already been tested, and none of them have been found to be infected.
So what outbreak is STR going on about? That's just a plain lie and an outrageous exaggeration of the facts.
Of course the children are going to be tested after they have been exposed. What else do you expect the hospital to do? But being tested and calling it an "outbreak" are two vastly different situations.
Bear in mind, no one is saying that there is no cause for concern, or denying that this is a rather serious situation. But let's all keep calm and deal with the situation based on the facts.
One has to really question the motive for STR to be blatantly calling it a "disease outbreak" and sensationalising the whole situation.
Is STR trying to cause a panic? Does posting such nonsensical articles without any factual accuracy help to allay the parents' anxiety?
Or is STR implying / accusing NUH is trying to downplay or cover up the situation? Does it have any evidence or basis to make such claims?
Could it be that the truth is much simpler? That STR just making use of the situation to collect more eyeballs/view-clicks for their website so that it can make money off the unfortunate situation?
This was what Channel News Asia reported (4 Dec 2015, 1219hrs).
178 children to be tested after NUH nurse found to have TB
The tests are being run after a paediatric nurse working in Ward 47 of the National University Hospital was diagnosed with pulmonary tuberculosis a week ago.
POSTED: 04 Dec 2015 12:00 UPDATED: 04 Dec 2015 12:19
Risk of contracting tuberculosis 'extremely low': Infectious diseases expert
SINGAPORE: The National University Hospital (NUH) will be calling in 178 children for tests after a paediatric nurse was diagnosed with pulmonary tuberculosis.
In a statement to the media, NUH on Friday (Dec 4) said the recall was issued on Dec 1, after the nurse was diagnosed with the disease on Nov 27. Thr nurse, who works in Ward 47, had been off duty since Nov 24 before her diagnosis, said NUH's Head of Paediatrics Associate Professor Daniel Goh.
"Her co-workers who are working in the ward have been screened and none of them have symptoms of the infection," Assoc Prof Goh said, adding that the nurse was started on medication and has been referred to the Tuberculosis Control Unit for follow-up treatment.
According to NUH, the nurse had been down with a cough in July. She had sought treatment at a GP clinic but was not diagnosed with TB. However, the cough persisted and the nurse sought treatment on Nov 25, when she was given a CT scan which revealed a possible TB patch on her lung.
The nurse then informed the hospital on the same day and was tested for TB. The results were confirmed on Nov 27.
"TB is in the general community and is usually spread over prolonged periods in close contact with an infected person. In most healthy people, the immune system is able to fight the bacteria that cause TB," said Assoc Prof Goh.
NUH CEO Joe Sim added that the hospital "fully understands" the anxiety of the parents, and are "taking this matter seriously."
"As such, the hospital is taking the proactive and precautionary measure to recall patients who may be at risk to be screened," said Mr Sim.
- CNA/dl
In a statement to the media, NUH on Friday (Dec 4) said the recall was issued on Dec 1, after the nurse was diagnosed with the disease on Nov 27. Thr nurse, who works in Ward 47, had been off duty since Nov 24 before her diagnosis, said NUH's Head of Paediatrics Associate Professor Daniel Goh.
"Her co-workers who are working in the ward have been screened and none of them have symptoms of the infection," Assoc Prof Goh said, adding that the nurse was started on medication and has been referred to the Tuberculosis Control Unit for follow-up treatment.
According to NUH, the nurse had been down with a cough in July. She had sought treatment at a GP clinic but was not diagnosed with TB. However, the cough persisted and the nurse sought treatment on Nov 25, when she was given a CT scan which revealed a possible TB patch on her lung.
The nurse then informed the hospital on the same day and was tested for TB. The results were confirmed on Nov 27.
"TB is in the general community and is usually spread over prolonged periods in close contact with an infected person. In most healthy people, the immune system is able to fight the bacteria that cause TB," said Assoc Prof Goh.
NUH CEO Joe Sim added that the hospital "fully understands" the anxiety of the parents, and are "taking this matter seriously."
"As such, the hospital is taking the proactive and precautionary measure to recall patients who may be at risk to be screened," said Mr Sim.
- CNA/dl
Read more about NUH case here:
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