208 Zambo jail inmates afflicted with TB

The Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP) has adopted measures to prevent the spread of Tuberculosis (TB) at the Zamboanga City Reformatory Center. (PNA photo)

ZAMBOANGA CITY, Aug. 2 — The Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP) has adopted measures to prevent the spread of Tuberculosis (TB) at the Zamboanga City Reformatory Center (ZCRC).

JO1 April Roanne Nono of the ZCRC community relations service on Wednesday disclosed that 208 inmates, all males, were tested positive of TB.

Nono said they were among the 384 inmates suspected to be afflicted with TB. The others are still undergoing confirmatory tests.

Nono said these are on top of the seven old cases of TB and another seven cases of multi-drug resistant TB they detected at the ZCRC.

She said among the measures to stop the spread of the disease is the isolation of the inmates afflicted with TB.

TB is an infectious disease caused by bacterium mycobacterium tuberculosis (MTB). It generally affects the lungs, but can also affect other parts of the body. Tuberculosis is spread through the air when people who have active TB in their lungs cough, spit, speak, or sneeze.

Nono said they also imposed strict observance of proper hygiene among the inmates.

She said they are closely monitoring the medication of inmates positive with TB and well as required to use face mask.

The ZCRC has four nurses and a volunteer physician who take care of the health of the more than 2,500 inmates at the ZCRC.