At approximately 1:42 a.m. on Thursday, October 23, an inmate was booked into Escambia County's Main Jail. As part of normal booking procedure, the inmate underwent a medical screening. At 10:15 a.m. on Thursday, the Escambia County Health Department notified jail staff that the inmate had been exposed to Tuberculosis (TB) through contact with a relative who tested positive for active TB. Although the inmate was not identified as having TB and did not exhibit any signs of the disease, Corrections officials immediately took precautionary measures, which included masking the inmate, medical staff and other individuals who had been in direct contact with the inmate. In addition, the inmate was isolated and placed in negative pressure cell. Subsequent testing has not shown any indication that the inmate is positive for TB.
However, in an abundance of caution, Corrections staff notified the Escambia County Sheriff Office (ESCO) this morning of the possible exposure to deputies who had arrested and transported the inmate.
Given the contagious nature of the disease, Corrections staff have been directed that should a similar incident occur, the arresting officers’ department (ECSO or Pensacola Police Deprtment) should be notified immediately of the potential health risks in order to minimize and mitigate potential risk to their personnel.
A person who has been infected with tuberculosis may not yet show any symptoms of TB and may have no idea that they're sick — however, they’re also are not contagious at this stage. If active tuberculosis disease does develop, and symptoms appear — such as persistent coughing, coughing up blood, breathing problems, or flu-like symptoms — the disease is contagious. If you think you have been exposed to someone with TB disease, contact your health care provider or local health department to see if you should be tested for TB infection. Be sure to tell the doctor or nurse when you spent time with the person who has TB disease.
