TTPost declared safe for workers

Managing Director of the TT Postal Corporation (TTPost) Chris Abley, yesterday reported that medical tests have confirmed there are no cases of active, infectious Tuberculosis among staff at its National Mail Centre (NMC), who were exposed to a worker with pulmonary TB. “The National Mail Centre is safe,” Abley said at a media briefing at TTPost National Mail Centre, Piarco. He said the infected worker had been absent from work since January 12 and was at Caura Chest Hospital. Abley said after hearing of the worker’s condition, TTPost immediately sought advice from the Caura Chest Unit to ensure the safety of all staff.

The company was advised that TB was spread through prolonged personal contact over extended periods of time. “Medical advice indicated there was no risk of infection to other staff either from the building or equipment within the building, such as the air conditioning,” Abley said. Staff from the Chest Unit visited the facility to address staff and skin tests were arranged for staff  who had come into contact with the infected worker. Abley said positive reactions were seen in 40 workers “because these persons were either exposed to TB or vaccinated for TB in the past.” They  were sent for chest x-rays and follow-up tests were recommended for a small number, although the x-rays were negative for TB. The Public Services Associa-tion has criticised TTPost’s handling of the TB problem, but Abley said the company only received information about the worker at the end of February, and  contacted the Chest Unit.

“Obviously two to three days passed but I believe TTPost acted as expeditiously as it could.” Also addressing the briefing was medical Specialist at Caura, Dr Albert Persaud who visited the mail sorting area. He was satisfied that it was properly ventilated to ensure the TB germ does not affect anyone. He said there is no risk of catching TB from the air-conditioning because the disease is spread through close contact. Dr Persaud said TT had approximately 200 cases of TB annually. He said overcrowding in homes, poor nutrition and a weakened immune system can make people susceptible to TB. He said 99.9 percent of people exposed to TB do not get it because they have a good immune system.