SEATTLE -- An oncology healthcare worker has tested positive for tuberculosis, UW Medical Center and the Seattle Cancer Care Alliance said Tuesday.
The worker came into contact with cancer patients between February and July of 2016. UW Medicine said it was contacting those 140 cancer patients by letter to offer TB testing at no charge.
"While we believe the risk of transmission from this health care worker is low, we are taking every step possible in collaboration with Public Health – Seattle & King County to minimize any risk to patients, family members, caregivers and staff," UW medicine officials said in a news release.
UW Medicine established a Nurse Call Line as a resource for patients, family members, caregivers or anyone else who has questions -- 1-855-520-8600.
Officials said staff members who may have worked in close proximity to the health care worker have all tested negative to date.
They said one of the worker's close contacts has tested positive for a latent TB infection. Officials are not sure if the positive test is related to this exposure. That person had other risk factors for TB, including traveling to a part of the world where the infection is common.