The Investigation of a Tuberculosis Cluster in a University in Taipei

Yen-Chi Yu, Jiunn-Shyan Julian Wu, Li-Shu Hsu

2014 Vol.30 NO.19

Correspondence Author： Jiunn-Shyan Julian Wu

Abstract：

       Three tuberculosis (TB) cases were reported in the same class at a university in Taipei. By genotyping, the strains of the three cases were determined to be the same. A campus cluster event was then established. Case 1 (the index case) was diagnosed as a TB case in Junior, while cases 2 and 3 were his contacts. After about a year when they all left school, case 2 was diagnosed with TB symptoms and case 3 was reported by the contact examination at 12-month. The investigation of the campus environment found that the desks and chairs were arranged too closely, the air-conditioner was lack of outflow system and the pipes of the inflow system were narrow. These resulted poor air quality in the classroom environment. To avoid airborne infectious disease, we recommend that all campus should enhance the indoor air quality.