212 out of 765 processing employees infected – company says HIV-privacy laws nix screening
Alabama health officials have identified 212 workers who have tested positive for tuberculosis at a single poultry plant owned by one of the largest processors in the U.S.
In two batteries of skin tests last month, given to 765 fresh processing employees at the Decatur, Ala., plant owned by Wayne Farms LLC by the State Department of Public Health's Tuberculosis Control Division, 28 percent were found to be infected, including one with active tuberculosis disease, which is contagious. Doctors have yet to evaluate X-rays for 165 current workers who tested positive to determine if any more are contagious.
The testing was prompted by an earlier active TB case – a former Wayne Farms worker.
Both employees with active TB are Hispanics born in countries where the disease is prevalent, heath officials said.
The WAYNE FARMS® brand is marketed to customers around the globe. Whether you find our products in the far corners of the world or just around the corner in your local market or restaurant, our success is built upon: high quality products; product consistency from order to order; food safety leadership; long-term partnerships(average length of 8+ years)