Purpose
The purpose of the
Tuberculosis Surveillance Program (TBSP) is to minimize the risk of
occupational transmission of Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb) to
employees, patients enrolled in clinical research studies, or laboratory
animals and lower health risks due to exposure to Mtb. This is achieved by providing medical
evaluation (including testing), education, counseling, treatment or referral
for clinical care for staff at risk for occupational exposure to Mtb in
clinical or research settings, including veterinary care or travel to
TB-endemic areas; or for staff diagnosed with work-related infection
with Mtb.
Eligibility
All NIH employees
(federal employees, contract staff, and volunteers) who work with patients,
have access to nonhuman primates or their living quarters, or have an
increased risk of occupational exposure to Mtb based on their work
responsibilities. The TBSP is also
available to staff after a recognized risk of exposure to Mtb at work (close
contact with infectious Mtb or a breach in PPE in a research or clinical
setting).
Workers are enrolled in TBSP and screened for Mtb infection who are:
- At risk for occupational exposure to Mtb, for example during preplacement evaluation,
- Transitioning to a new position with an elevated risk of Mtb exposure,
- Identified as a possible contact of a person with infectious TB in clinical and non-clinical work areas at NIH during a targeted contact investigation, or
- Accessing facilities where Mtb research is conducted.
Services
- Exposure risk assessment and counseling (preplacement or after possible exposure)
- Periodic, typically annually, and post-incident TB screening using a blood test (interferon-gamma release assay, or IGRA) or standard skin test depending on clinical circumstances and personal medical history
Additional Resources
CDC: TB Prevention in Health Care Settings
NIH: Guidelines for the Prevention and Control of Tuberculosis in Nonhuman Primates
