Epidemiologists identify 13 contacts of tuberculosis patient at kebab shop

Latvia’s Centre for Disease Prevention and Control has identified 13 people who had contact with a kebab chef diagnosed with tuberculosis, LSM reported. The young man is in critical condition in hospital, and his work and study contacts will be monitored for two years.

The contacts include eight fellow students and five people connected to his work and shared apartment. Epidemiologists define a contact as someone who spent at least 40 hours with the patient over the course of a month.

“The group of people has been identified. We are sending information about all 13 to the Outpatient Centre of the Tuberculosis and Lung Disease Centre, and they will be monitored for the next two years,” epidemiologist Sigita Geida said. She added that anyone who develops symptoms will receive prompt treatment.

Geida said it was difficult to determine whether the Indian man contracted tuberculosis in Latvia or arrived with the infection. He has been in Riga since spring last year, and symptoms can emerge within two years.

Liga Kukša, head of the Tuberculosis and Lung Disease Centre’s seventh department, said Latvia screens people when they enter the country. She said the country’s diagnosis and treatment services meet international standards and stressed the importance of reaching patients quickly to prevent severe illness.

Latvia records between 200 and 300 tuberculosis cases annually. Of 219 people diagnosed this year, 16 are foreign nationals. In recent years, the highest number of cases among foreign nationals was recorded among Ukrainian citizens, with 30 cases, followed by nine among Indian citizens and six among Vietnamese citizens.