Tuberculosis found in person who was at Melfort McDonald’s

The Saskatchewan Health Authority (SHA) has confirmed that there’s been a case of tuberculosis in Melfort.

An email to northeastNOW from the SHA didn’t say specifically where the case was in the city, but a post on Facebook showed an SHA letter that was sent to some McDonald’s employees in Melfort. The letter dated on Aug. 11 read “a person that spent time at the McDonald’s in Melfort was recently diagnosed with tuberculosis.”

The SHA said in their email to northeastNOW that close contacts have been notified and there is no concern to the public. They said that only those who have daily or prolonged exposure, or household and close contacts are at risk of contracting tuberculosis.

The letter said that the person was at the Melfort McDonald’s between the periods of April and May, but it didn’t say if the individual was an employee. The SHA also didn’t comment on why it took until August for individuals to be notified.

The owner of the Melfort McDonald’s did not return contact attempts prior to publication.

According to the Government of Canada, tuberculosis is spread through the release of droplets from an infected person. That could include things like coughing and sneezing. Symptoms of tuberculosis include a bad cough that can last more than two weeks. The cough could bring up blood or phlegm as well. Other symptoms include chest pain, weakness or tiredness, weight loss, a lack of appetite, chills, fever, and night sweats.

Those who are most at risk include those with silicosis, HIV or AIDS, diabetes, long-term kidney disease that requires dialysis, and cancer of the head or neck. Those who are underweight or are heavy drinkers are also at risk of contracting tuberculosis.