fp Turks and Caicos

One prisoner at Her Majesty’s Prison on Grand Turk tested positive for Tuberculosis on Wednesday (Feb. 2), the Ministry of Home Affairs and Public Safety has confirmed.

Denise Saunders, the permanent secretary for the ministry, said in a statement Thursday (Feb. 3) the diagnosed prisoner and his two cell mates were immediately moved to another part of the prison away from the rest of the prison population. There are no indications at this time that anyone else is affected, she added.

"The Prison and Health authorities have moved quickly to establish approved containment and testing measures, and all staff and prisoners have been notified," Saunders said. 

Health Service personnel will begin the prescribed Mantoux tests for staff and prisoners from tomorrow and they are receiving the full cooperation of all concerned including the
prisoners, according to Saunders statement.

Pulmonary tuberculosis (TB) is a contagious bacterial infection that mainly involves the lungs, but may spread to other organs.

TB is caused by the bacteria Mycobacterium tuberculosis (M. tuberculosis), which can be contracted by breathing in air droplets from a cough or sneeze of an infected person.

Symptoms include:

• Cough (sometimes producing phlegm)
• Coughing up blood
• Excessive sweating, especially at night
• Fatigue
• Fever
• Unintentional weight loss