Dear Colleagues,
A UNLV School of Nursing employee at the university’s Shadow Lane Campus has tested positive for active tuberculosis (TB), a bacterial infectious disease. The Southern Nevada Health District (SNHD) is directing and conducting the public health investigation in accordance with its statutory and regulatory responsibilities as the local health authority under Nevada laws.
UNLV is taking this situation very seriously and has been working closely with SNHD, which has the responsibility for directing the public health investigation and determining the appropriate response. The employee who tested positive was in a non-clinical classroom setting on the Shadow Lane Campus. Based on the preliminary information available, the exposure risk is likely limited to individuals who had prolonged or repeated close contact with the employee on that campus.
SNHD representatives visited the School of Nursing at the Shadow Lane Campus this week and are working with the school and our UNLV public health response team to obtain the information necessary to identify potentially exposed individuals.
SNHD follows an established, evidence-based process when cases of active tuberculosis are confirmed. They will identify potentially exposed individuals, determine the appropriate scope of contact investigation, coordinate notifications, and ensure that individuals identified as contacts (including students, faculty, and staff) receive the required medical evaluation and testing.
Next Steps
SNHD is in the preliminary steps of the investigation. Individuals identified as close contacts will be notified and provided with information about the screening and testing process. If they determine you need to be tested, the SNHD will contact you directly and arrange for your testing.
While we understand that this process only impacts a small percentage of our university population, the safety and well-being of every member of our UNLV family continues to be of utmost importance to me and all of our leadership team. Our thoughts are with the employee who tested positive and we wish them a speedy recovery. Out of respect for our colleague, please do not share information on social media or elsewhere that could jeopardize the individual's privacy.
We also recognize this situation can generate anxiety for some people. UNLV has a number of resources available to support you at this time including physical and mental wellness services.
About Tuberculosis
The Southern Nevada Health District has a resource page with answers to frequently asked questions regarding TB.
- Tuberculosis is a bacteria that primarily causes a respiratory infection, which is treatable.
- There are approximately 70 active cases of TB in Clark County annually.
- The disease is slow in development and can be transmitted via close, prolonged and/or repeated contact by breathing the same air over a long period of time.
- TB is not transmitted through touching or handling objects.
- The active disease is characterized by a chronic cough that often contains blood, fever, night sweats, and weight loss. However, most people show no symptoms and the body keeps it in check.
- TB is a common infectious disease that is treatable, with roughly a quarter of the world's population being infected, although the rates in the US are among the lowest in the world.
Common Questions
Risk of exposure – People who have not been to the School of Nursing building at the Shadow Lane Campus within the past six months are at no risk of exposure.
No risk to clinical operations – The employee was in a non-clinical classroom setting in the School of Nursing on the Shadow Lane Campus and to our knowledge no patients in UNLV’s clinical practices have been exposed.
What’s next – SNHD is conducting an investigation, in coordination with UNLV, to determine who will need to be tested. If the SNHD determines you need to be tested, they will contact you directly and arrange for your testing.
What if I test positive – Tuberculosis is a treatable infection.
What to do if you feel sick – Anyone who feels sick, e.g. has a persistent cough, should seek treatment from their primary health care provider. Consider wearing a surgical mask if you have respiratory symptoms and are in enclosed public spaces.
We do ask for your patience and compassion as SNHD goes through its review and testing process over the coming weeks.
Sincerely,
Chris Heavey
President
Lakshmi N. Reddi
Executive Vice President & Provost