A Public Health Emergency Declared in Omaha as Children Are Tested for Tuberculosis
Health officials in Omaha, Nebraska have swiftly taken action in response to a potential tuberculosis outbreak at a local daycare. Over 500 children, including infants, toddlers, and older children, may have been exposed to an active tuberculosis case at the Westview YMCA daycare, prompting the Douglas County Health Department to declare a public health emergency on Friday.
The exposures occurred between May 21, 2023, and October 30, 2023, during which time the daycare provided “drop-in” care for children of members utilizing the facility. As a result, the Children’s Nebraska pediatric hospital quickly set up a clinic to test children ages 4 and under who were potentially exposed in the last 10 weeks. Those in this age group require “window prophylaxis” treatment to prevent the development of tuberculosis as testing is underway. The DCHD plans to set up a clinic later this week to test children ages 5 and up who were potentially exposed.
Justin Frederick, deputy health director in Douglas County, emphasized the urgency of the situation, particularly given the susceptibility of children to the rapid development of severe disease. Tuberculosis is a bacterial infection that spreads through prolonged, direct contact with an active case, such as coughing, sneezing, speaking, or singing.
Officials have refrained from divulging specifics about the person with active tuberculosis at the daycare, including their age, only mentioning that symptoms began in late August and that the person wasn’t tested until last week. They have also hinted that the number of potentially exposed individuals could continue to grow as testing results become available.
With testing results expected for the younger children midweek, health officials are cautiously optimistic that the scope of the outbreak hasn’t expanded significantly. Nonetheless, they are preparing for the possibility of more cases and are urging anyone who may have been exposed to seek testing and medical attention as a precaution.
The urgent response by health officials reflects the seriousness of the situation and the need to prevent the spread of tuberculosis among the children and the broader community. As the situation continues to develop, the DCHD and other health authorities are working diligently to contain the outbreak and provide appropriate care for those affected.