Dresden/Chemnitz (dpa/sn) – Due to an outbreak of tuberculosis in Chemnitz, Saxony, Barmer Krankenkasse is now providing information about the contagious disease on a state-wide special hotline. “It is often unclear when you can become infected and how you can protect yourself from infections. Our team of experts answers these and other questions according to the current state of science,” said Barmer Managing Director in Saxony, Fabian Magerl, on Wednesday. The hotline is intended to help clear up any ambiguity surrounding the current course of infection and to allay fears about possible risks of infection.
In January, there was an outbreak of tuberculosis in a nursing school in Chemnitz. According to the city, the number of contact persons identified is around 170, of whom around 150 live in Chemnitz. The number of infections found there is 28, 21 of which are attributable to nursing students, according to a city spokeswoman. The Office for Health and Prevention is still in contact with the nursing school and the affected nursing homes. The health authorities of other municipalities were also informed – where necessary. The city pointed out at the beginning of February that not every infection leads to illness.
Tuberculosis is caused by bacteria and is notifiable. The pathogens are mainly excreted through coughing and sneezing and spread through aerosols in the air. According to experts, tuberculosis is not highly contagious. Whether an infection occurs depends, among other things, on how long and intensive the contact with the sick person was and how susceptible the person is to infection, according to the Federal Center for Health Education. The hotline that has been set up can be reached around the clock and is available to everyone free of charge.
