TB confirmed in Tyson worker in Broken Bow

Friday, April 29th 2005, 11:03 am

By: News On 6

BROKEN BOW, Okla. (AP) _ A confirmed case of tuberculosis in a Tyson Foods Inc. chicken plant employee has led health authorities to test 222 people for the airborne disease, the company said.

Of those tested, one has been classified as ``suspect'' and seven others were recommended to begin precautionary treatments.

The product from the plant in McCurtain County was not affected.

``TB is transmitted by breathing in infected bacterium in the air,'' said Dr. Jon Tillinghast, the state Health Department's tuberculosis expert. ``I would have no problem eating any chicken that came from that Tyson plant. That would not be a concern.''

State health officials documented 178 cases of tuberculosis last year. Twelve of those came from McCurtain County, third highest in the state, behind Oklahoma and Tulsa counties, which had 45 and 39 respectively.

TB is a serious disease that normally attacks the lungs and is spread through coughing, sneezing, or even speaking. It can be cured by antibiotics.