Colorado Springs – A 19-year-old woman from Nepal died Friday of tuberculosis, state health officials announced today.
The woman was an international student at Colorado State University-Pueblo until summer break and was recently living in Colorado Springs, according to the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment.
The name of the woman, who died Friday morning after seeking help at Memorial Hospital’s emergency room, has not been released.
Memorial Hospital spokesman Mark Goldberg said the woman was placed in an isolation room and employees were told to wear protective masks after the woman arrived at the hospital.
The hospital notified the county health department’s communicable disease specialists.
Memorial Hospital sees about six TB patients a year.
“We’re considered a low risk area and a low risk facility for that,” Goldberg said. “The doctors and our infectious control people are telling us that TB is not an easy disease to get. You have to have prolonged close contact.”
The hospital tests each of its employees annually for exposure to TB.
