Tuberculosis detected in Indian national working at Riga kebab shop
An Indian citizen working at a kebab restaurant in Riga has been diagnosed with tuberculosis. Latvia's Centre for Disease Prevention and Control is tracing contacts, while customers are not considered at risk because the disease does not spread through food.
An Indian citizen who works at a kebab restaurant in Riga has been diagnosed with tuberculosis, according to the television programme "Panorāma". Latvia's Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (SPKC), the agency that monitors the spread of infectious diseases, has launched an epidemiological investigation to determine whether people who were in contact with the patient have become infected.
Who will be tested
The SPKC intends to check the patient's co-workers, flatmates and fellow students. The Food and Veterinary Service has separately begun an inspection at the catering business where the man worked.
Specialists say customers who ate food prepared by the infected employee have no reason to worry about contracting the disease. Tuberculosis spreads through the air, not through food.
The patient's condition
The Indian national was found on the street on Friday and taken to hospital. His condition is currently serious, although it is possible that this is linked not to tuberculosis but to the possible use of prohibited substances.
Situation nationwide
Latvia ranks third in the European Union for tuberculosis incidence, with roughly 300 cases detected each year. So far this year 219 cases have been registered, including 16 among foreign nationals. Although tuberculosis is widespread in India, this is the only case found in an Indian citizen in Latvia this year.
