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Tuberculosis Scare Rattles Local Nursing Home

BETHEL PARK (KDKA) --- The Meadowcrest Nursing Center is a quiet extended care facility off of Braun Road in Bethel Park.

Residents and staff, however, have been shaken by the news that a resident was recently diagnosed with Tuberculosis.

Details are scant but the sometimes fatal disease was diagnosed in a female resident in her 80's after she underwent tests at a local hospital.

Late last week, the nursing home began sending out letters to staff and the families of residents who may have had contact with the woman. Officials confirmed the case and requested that they should be tested for Tuberculosis as well.

The Allegheny County Health Department have confirmed the launch of a contact investigation and will test everyone that had been in contact with the woman.

Tuberculosis is infectious and can be spread through the air through coughs and sneezes. It can be initially seen in a skin test and confirmed with a chest x-ray.

Through the contact investigation, the Allegheny County Health Department will try to determine whether anyone else has contracted Tuberculosis.

If anyone has been infected, they will get immediate treatment for the disease.

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