TB Case at VA Pittsburgh, PA

By Walter F. Roche Jr.

An unidentified veteran who has been a patient at Veterans Affairs facilities in the Pittsburgh area has been diagnosed with tuberculosis and is undergoing treatment.
VA Pittsburgh officials disclosed Wednesday that the patient was diagnosed Monday and is responding well to treatment. He has been a patient at the VA outpatient facility in Beaver County and the University Drive facility in Pittsburgh.
According to an announcement from the VA, no additional cases have been found but the agency is now notifying persons who may have come into contact with the ailing veteran and offering free testing. That process is expected to take several days, according to VA officials.
"While it is unlikely anyone potentially exposed will become ill, out of an abundance of caution we urge notified patients and employees to be tested, " VA Medical Director Karin McGraw said in a statement.
Tuberculosis is transmitted through the air and symptoms include coughing up blod, chest pain, fever, chills and night sweats.