September 4, 2001

Sanderson Farms Employee Diagnosed With Tuberculosis

by Joshua Lipsky

An hourly employee working at Laurel, Miss.-based Sanderson Farms has been diagnosed with tuberculosis, according to a news release. In accordance with Mississippi law, the case was reported to the Mississippi State Health Department, which has taken the appropriate steps to reduce the risk of spreading the illness.

The employee, who worked in the deboning department, is reported to be doing well and is expected to recover completely.

Tuberculosis spreads through airborne bacteria, by breathing air affected by an infected person's coughing or sneezing. Tuberculosis cannot be spread by food or through physical contact with an affected person.

The Department of Health and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention confirm that product processed at the Laurel facility has not been compromised in any way and that there is no possibility of spreading the disease through food products.

Sanderson Farms processes bulk boneless breast meat product and leg quarters for foreign export at its Laurel processing plant. The company was ranked tenth in Poultry magazine's 2001 Top Performers, with $605.9 million in sales for fiscal 2000.

In order to provide its employees peace of mind, Sanderson Farms will offer a tuberculosis test to any employee working at the facility who wishes to have the test. If any other employee tests positive, company officials will work with the Mississippi State Health Department to take appropriate measures, according to a statement.

Some symptoms of tuberculosis include coughing with detection of blood, weight loss, fatigue, night sweats and fever. Tuberculosis can be treated with a variety of drugs taken over a six- to 12-month period.

This article reprinted with permission from Meat Marketing and Technology Magazine.

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